TDs are 'entitled' to object to plans to expand the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, the Transport Minister has said.
Green Party TD and Minister of State Joe O'Brien is one of those objecting to plans to boost a passenger cap from 32 million to 40 million a year.
Authorities have said a total of 31.908 million passengers passed through the terminals of Dublin Airport in 2023.
Transport Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said people are entitled to their own views.
"He's entitled to that as a representative [and] as an individual," he said.
"We're not going to restrict people expressing their own views and opinions.
"I can understand that he represents a lot of people in Fingal who have seen real disruption from the airport, including to changing flight paths as well as just the very volume of people transiting to and from the airport.
"He's entitled to that, and that's something that I fully understand".
Asked if he believed the Dublin Airport cap should increase, Minister Ryan said he did not want to get involved in what is a legal process.
"I've a slightly different position as Minister for Transport and there's legal considerations here, so I have to be slightly careful," he said.
"Fingal County Council and the other authorities have to assess the planning permission, and as Minister for Transport I have to be careful not to intervene in what is a legal process," he added.
'It seems crazy'
Green Party Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe has said he believes an expansion would be "crazy" given the drive to reduce carbon emissions.
"It seems crazy in the middle of a climate emergency that we’re proposing to increase the capacity of Dublin Airport by 25%," he told Newstalk Breakfast yesterday.
"But it’s not just about the climate; it’s also about ensuring the people of Dublin can get a good night’s sleep.
"I think there’s real concerns about the noise pollution from these early morning and late night aircraft," he added.
Head of Dublin Airport operator DAA Kenny Jacobs has said a failure to increase the cap will see airlines moving elsewhere.
