A number of residents have claimed another Christmas will be 'ruined' for them on account of noise from Dublin Airport.
They have been protesting over flight noise amid plans for a capacity expansion at the airport.
DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs met members of Fingal County Council earlier this evening as protesters gathered and chanted outside the local authority offices.
Mr Jacobs previously told Newstalk that a planning cap on Dublin Airport of 32 million passengers is around access to the airport itself.
"It's a restriction that goes back to 2008 and it's based on surface access to Dublin Airport - so the amount of vehicles coming to it," he said.
"It's a planning restriction... we've been trying to change it since 2008, but a few things have gotten in the way.
"It was delayed with the 2008 financial crisis, then you had the COVID pandemic."
Mr Jacobs said once a new cap is approved, it would will allow the airport to grow beyond 40 million in the coming decade.
Residents protest about Dublin Airport outside the offices of Fingal County Council in Dublin, 12-12-23. Image: NewstalkOne man at the protest told reporter Josh Crosbie for The Hard Shoulder he and his family can't sleep because of the noise of the planes.
"This time last year they ruined our Christmas," he said.
"The noise levels now are disgraceful; I was awakened at 4.30 this morning and then it really started at 7 o'clock.
"During the summer we couldn't stay in our back gardens, we couldn't have a conversation in the back garden.
"If a neighbour from hell moved in beside me he'd be arrested.
"No matter how many times you ring to complain you get no reply; you just get an answering machine".
Asked if he availed of grants for noise reduction from the DAA of up to €20,000, he replied: "Oh no, it's never been discussed.
"I don't want money or anything like that, I just want peace and quiet - I want my sleep back".
Residents protest about Dublin Airport outside the offices of Fingal County Council in Dublin, 12-12-23. Image: NewstalkOne woman who lives on the Meath-Dublin border has said she plans to move.
"This has completely annihilated my life, so much so I'll have to leave," she said.
"Seven o'clock in the morning I'm woke by airplanes, my health is impacted, this problem's not going to go away.
"I couldn't continue living somewhere where I'm woke every morning - no Saturday, no Sunday sleep in.
"It's shocking, we've been quiet on this too long."
Asked about claims that the airport has to increase its passenger numbers, she said: "Did COP28 just happen? Are we in a climate emergency?
"Did COVID happen and we contained ourselves? Why do we need to [increase] from 32 million?
"We have a planet here, we need to contain people's travelling," she added.
Residents who live near Dublin Airport are protesting at the Fingal County Council offices in Swords.
They are raising their concerns over the noise of planes and flight paths.
The DAA is meeting with the Council ahead of its Infrastructure Application on Friday. @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/MhaE2eY4xQ— Josh Crosbie (@JoshCrosbie3) December 12, 2023
DAA Group Head of Communications Kevin Cullinane has said growing the airport is crucial.
"Dublin Airport is a key economic driver of the national economy as Ireland’s national airport and the primary gateway to the world, welcoming the majority of international passengers, facilitating 30% of Ireland’s exports by value, and contributing €9.6 billion in Gross Value Added to the Irish economy," he said.
"Dublin Airport as a major employer in Fingal accounts for almost 20,000 direct jobs and has hired an additional 1,000 people in support of airport operations this year.
"Population growth alone means Dublin Airport will need to be able to grow beyond 32 million passengers over the next 15 years - the current maximum cap placed on the number of passengers allowed to pass through the doors of the two terminals each year.
"The continued sustainable development of the airport to meet this growing demand will be crucial to facilitating the level of growth in tourism, trade, investment and jobs that’s recognised and required by government policy," he added.
These include an expansion of both the north and south aprons, improved airport access and parking facilities - as well as road network upgrades.
There will also be more frequent and quicker access for buses to Dublin city centre and around the country.
The public will have an opportunity to have their say on the application through the Fingal County Council website when the five-week observation period begins, which will likely be from early January.
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