Dublin Passenger Cap Remains A Sticky Point as Ryanair Boss Meets Junior Minister

The issue of the Dublin Airport passenger cap does not appear to be close to being resolved.

A meeting took place today between Junior Transport Minister James Lawless, and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.

Mr O'Leary has for a long time been shouting from the rooftops, calling for the passenger limit in Dublin to be increased from its current cap of 32 million passengers.

The cap was introduced in 2007, in response to concerns over major traffic congestion on roads to the airport.

The 'no frills' airline have repeatedly stated these concerns are outdated and the need for the passenger cap, which will be breached this year, is no longer needed.

Mr O'Leary said that his meeting with Minister Lawless was unproductive, and said he was confident none of his company's demands would be met.

“There are real daily challenges being posed by this,” Michael O'Leary said.

"All of this is solvable if Eamon Ryan simply issues a directive to the IAA to issue these additional slots this winter and next summer while the planning process plays itself out.”

In response, the Junior Minister said, “There’s a legal and planning dimension to it, I don’t think that we can get a one size fits all quick solution here.”

A planning process is underway currently between DAA and Fingal County Council about the lifting of the cap.