The Green Party spokesperson on climate and transport has said aviation policy needs to change as he criticised major plans to expand Dublin Airport.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme, Brian Leddin said he believes there should be more focus on developing regional airports instead.
He said the country's approach to planning is "very reactive" as he criticised the 15-year expansion plan by the daa, which operates Dublin and Cork airports.
"It doesn't make sense. What we need to be doing, and what the National Planning Framework is all about, is strategic planning," he said.
Mr Leddin said the point of it is to grow the regions faster to "get a rebalancing of the east coast and the regions".
"Shannon is completely under-utilised at the moment," he said.
The Limerick City TD was also critical of the environmental impact if there are more flights at Dublin Airport under the plan to increase passenger numbers to 40m a year.
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Speaking on the same programme, daa Head of Communications Kevin Cullinane said it will be looking to increase the percentage of energy usage from sustainable sources.
"In this plan for Dublin Airport you are looking at over €500m worth of sustainability investment in projects," he said.
Mr Cullinane also said modern fleets are burning less carbon and that it is "entirely committed" to playing its role along with the aviation sector in reducing carbon emissions.
He said with its 15-year expansion plan there will not be a net increase in noise, despite a surge in passenger numbers, as modern aircraft are less noisy.
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