Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has said the limit on the number of passengers allowed to pass through Dublin Airport every year is 'arbitrary'. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillProposals by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien to scrap completely the passenger cap at Dublin Airport have met strong resistance from senior civil servants, he has said. A planning application has been submitted to Fingal County Council by airport operators, DAA, to increase the cap to 40 million. Mr O’Brien has argued that removing the cap will not mean unfettered growth. DAA’s Director of Communications Sarah Ryan said it welcomed Mr O’Brien’s commitment to bring in legislation in 2026 that will remove the passenger cap at Dublin airport.

Source: The Irish Times January 05, 2026 13:01 UTC