Paul Murphy
Ceist:185. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he supports a ban on private jets using Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13730/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 9 April 2024
Ceisteanna (185, 227)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:227. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any plans to introduce a levy on private jets using Irish airspace or landing at Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14680/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 227 together.
The term "private jet" is not defined in national, European, or international law and the nature of ownership does not arise as a specific categorisation.
There has been no proposal to ban such aircraft from Dublin Airport, but, as in the wider aviation sector, any proposals to regulate access more stringently would require that the negative environmental effects of such operations be assessed in the context of their economic impacts, particularly in the context of attracting FDI. Further, it is generally acknowledged that the business and general aviation sector will likely play an important role as a testbed for new aircraft technologies including electric and hydrogen before development/deployment for larger aircraft and at scale.
However, it has been recognised that a more concrete and definitive contribution to the decarbonisation effort could be made by this segment of the aviation sector. Preferably any such measure would be introduced on a European wide basis. However absent a forthcoming proposal, I have asked my officials to examine this matter.