Sinn Féin spokesperson for Transport and Communications, John Brady TD, has said the fact that the High Court had to grant a stay on the decision by the aviation regulator to cap numbers at Dublin Airport during busy peak season represents another failure by the government.

Deputy Brady criticised the failure of the government for allowing the issue to get to the court, arguing that they should have addressed it before now.

He added that the fact that the government lacked a coherent aviation strategy, or a plan for regional development and connectivity that would see the development of regional airports, had led to a failure to relieve pressure on Dublin Airport.

Teachta Brady said:

“This debacle is another example of the ineptitude of this government. The fact that this issue had to go before the High Court is an indictment of the failure of the government to live up to its responsibilities.

“The fact of the matter is that this government does not have a proper aviation policy, one that takes in the needs of Ireland as an Island, that focuses on a greater development of our regional airports, such as Knock, Cork and Shannon.

“By addressing the policy issues, Ireland can transform its national airport network into a cohesive system that supports balanced regional development and enhances national connectivity.

“A smarter policy would have the potential to relieve airport congestion immediately in ways that benefit the Greater Dublin Area and the rest of Ireland.

“It would ensure that Ireland competes for new routes and delivers better connectivity, while better connecting the west of Ireland, its tourism and its FDI hub in the Shannon region to Europe specifically but globally as well.”