Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
555. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assumptions in relation to global action to reduce greenhouse gases he has relayed to the Dublin Airport Authority in predicting future passenger demands and in deciding on increasing runway capacity. [15351/16]
View answerPlanning permission for the North Runway project has been in place since 2007. Given the increase in passenger numbers over the last two years and projected passenger growth, I welcome the fact that daa has decided to commence the project.
daa has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport including the provision of infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand, such as the North Runway project. Therefore, the assumptions to be made in predicting future passenger demand is a matter for daa, having regard to all relevant national and international factors, including those related to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
I have been informed by the daa that they are committed to the successful management of impacts on the environment, and that they will work effectively with key stakeholders such as the IAA and airlines in this regard. It should be noted that no assumptions are made in relation to aviation emissions under the Paris Agreement (COP21). The challenge of mitigating aviation emissions is dealt with through the international body ICAO, which plans to bring forward measures later this year designed to ensure carbon neutral growth in international aviation emissions from 2020.
