‘Full support’ for more passengers amid airport row Minister Jack Chambers backs plan to hike cap
JUNIOR Minister Jack Chambers has given his “full support” to plans to increase the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
He was speaking just hours after Ryanair boss Michael O’leary branded Green Party Transport Minister Eamon Ryan “an idiot” and called for him to resign over objections to the planning application.
Dublin Airport Authority lodged a planning application to increase its passenger cap from 32 million to 40 million.
Speaking at the sodturning of social housing in West Dublin, Mr Chambers said: “It’s absolutely essential for tourism, trade, employment and our wider industrial and economic policy.
“We cannot have a policy of degrowth. Our national aviation policy is focused on making sure we’re competitive and connected as an island nation and I fully support the plan from the DAA.”
After it emerged Green TDS, ministers and MEPS made observations or objections to the daa’s plan, Mr O’leary called on Mr Ryan to resign. He said: “Ireland’s aviation industry and the future of Irish tourism cannot be left in the hands of an incompetent and useless Green Minister.
“He should immediately instruct Fingal County Council and An Bord Pleanala to abandon this idiotic 32 million SUPPORT Jack Chambers passenger cap. He should resign and let someone competent develop Irish air transport.”
A spokesperson for the Minister told the Irish Mirror “the Green TDS and MEP that have expressed opposition to the airport expansion plans are not acting on behalf of Mr Ryan”.
She added: “As Minister for Transport, he cannot and would not intervene in that independent process in any way. He has made no comment on this issue in repeated interviews.”
Brian Leddin, who was mentioned by Mr O’leary, said the Ryanair chief was “throwing a tantrum”.
He said he was “openly standing up for Shannon Airport and the Midwest” and that Shannon could “double its passenger numbers overnight” to relieve pressure on Dublin.