Increasing Dublin Airport’s passenger cap could negatively impact the health of people who live near the airport, a local campaigner has claimed. 

The Programme for Government promised to lift the passenger cap “as soon as possible” and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has argued doing so would be good for the economy. 

Later this week, residents of North County Dublin will be hosting an event to examine the health implications of such a move. 

On The Hard Shoulder, Green Party area representative Ian Carey said local residents are hugely concerned. 

“There’s a growing body of evidence that aircraft noise is linked to a lot of health conditions - which are heart attack and stroke,” he said. 

“And also, mental health conditions such as stress and anxiety. 

“The WHO, as far back as 2018, was asking policy makers to strongly limit the impact of aircraft noise on communities. 

“But in Ireland, we’re moving in the opposite direction; we’re actually increasing the amount of people who are impacted by aircraft noise.” 

Mr Carey added that it is “about time” this attitude changes.

Main image: Dublin Airport. Picture by: Sam Boal Collins Photos