Fast tracking Dublin Airport expansion risks regional imbalance

Clare Echo
Páraic McMahon
03 Mar 2026

Galway Chamber has warned that the Government risks entrenching regional imbalance by pressing ahead with the Dublin Airport Passenger Capacity Bill 2026 without first assessing the national and regional consequences.

The Chamber, which represents 500 businesses employing 30,000 people, says the Bill would hand the Minister for Transport exceptional powers to alter planning conditions at Dublin Airport while major national projects such as the Galway City Ring Road and key water infrastructure schemes remain subject to planning appeals and judicial reviews, resulting in indefinite timelines for approvals.

In a detailed submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, the Chamber says removing the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport in the absence of a national aviation strategy would have long‑term consequences for balanced regional development, environmental sustainability and national resilience...

Fast tracking Dublin Airport expansion risks regional imbalance - Clare Echo - 03 Mar 2026