For the first time the application by the daa to raise the current limit on passengers – at Dublin Airport – from 32 million passengers to 36 million passengers a year is to face opposition based on Ireland’s climate legislation.
Friends of the Irish Environment [FIE], an environmental charity which uses litigation to achieve sustainable development, has lodged an initial objection to the planning application being considered by Fingal County Council.
According to FIE, the obligation arising under the Climate Act “has not been addressed or met by the applicant”.
Relevant decision makers are required to make decision that are consistent with the requirements of the Climate Act, specifically for the “The objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State”.
The objection points out that the rapid transit rail envisioned in the original planning has not taken place and will not be in place in the foreseeable future. “The consequence is excessive car use and dependence including and especially in and around the M50, undermining its intended status as a by-pass. There is no capacity to allow development, including in this case the removal of planning control conditions, which would generate additional traffic in and around the M50.”
The objection concludes that in addition to the climate and traffic generation impacts the effect of the proposed lifting of passenger cap conditions would have multiple cumulative and advise impact impacts on human health, ecosystems noise, and air pollution.
Pointing out that the High Court ruled recently that ‘business as usual’ is no longer possible because of the climate breakdown, FIE Director Tony Lowes said that “it appears the airport has not got that message yet.”
