Dáil Passes Dublin Airport Cap Removal and Strategic LNG Reserve Bills

The Dáil has passed legislation to remove Dublin Airport’s 32 million annual passenger cap and approved plans for a strategic liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserve. Both government bills were fast-tracked through the Dáil on Tuesday evening, limiting debate before TDs voted ahead of the summer recess.

The Dublin Airport legislation grants Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien power to amend or revoke the existing cap and prevent future limits. The cap, part of the airport’s second terminal planning permission, became a political issue after the airport exceeded it. Airlines and business groups warned it constrained connectivity, while the government argued it restricted Ireland’s economic growth and tourism. O’Brien stated the legislation ensures Ireland meets future aviation demand and aligns with global decarbonisation efforts, refuting claims of neglecting environmental considerations. Opposition parties and environmental groups, including People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger and Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, criticized the bill for weakening climate commitments and being rushed. The bill passed 118 votes to 28.

TDs also passed the Strategic Gas Reserve Bill, providing for a state-owned emergency LNG storage facility in the Shannon Estuary. The government asserts this is crucial for Ireland’s energy security, as 80% of its gas is imported via Britain. Taoiseach Micheál Martin denied it undermined climate ambitions, calling it an energy security issue, citing warnings of economic trouble within 10 days if British gas interconnectors were disrupted. O’Brien stressed the legislation’s urgency, adding separate legislation would ensure public ownership and emergency-only use. Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, Green Party, and People Before Profit opposed the bill, arguing it increases fossil fuel reliance and undermines climate targets. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Labour TD Ciarán Ahern criticized the lack of oversight and the bill’s failure to explicitly guarantee emergency-only use. Both bills will now proceed to the Seanad before returning to the Dáil for final approval.