Galway Chamber has strongly criticised the Government for what it said is the prioritising of Dublin Airport expansion and the "sidelining" of Ireland West and Shannon airports.
The Chamber said the Dublin Airport Passenger Capacity Bill 2026 will create a serious regional imbalance and impact the wider local economy.
In a detailed submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, the Chamber said removing the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport in the absence of a national aviation strategy would have long‑term consequences.
Allowing Dublin Airport to move towards 55 million passengers a year would undermine the viability of regional airports and intensify pressure on housing, roads and public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, it said.
The Chamber, which represents 500 businesses employing 30,000 people, said the Bill would hand the Minister for Transport exceptional powers to alter planning conditions at Dublin Airport, while major national projects such as the Galway City Ring Road and key water infrastructure schemes remain subject to planning appeals and judicial reviews, resulting in indefinite timelines for approvals.
Galway Chamber CEO Karen Ronan said Ireland cannot continue to expand aviation capacity in a way that concentrates growth in one part of the country.
"Ireland already has one of the most centralised aviation systems in Europe. About 83% of passengers travel through Dublin Airport, while the five regional airports share the remaining 17%," Ms Ronan said.
"By supporting this Bill, the Government is contradicting its own stated policy of promoting Ireland West Airport Knock and Shannon Airport as essential international gateways that underpin balanced population growth, tourism, foreign investment and national resilience."
She said that expanding Dublin Airport without a coordinated national strategy risks widening regional inequality and placing further strain on infrastructure that is already under pressure.
The Chamber is not opposed to aviation growth, she added, but is calling for a balanced national approach that protects regional airports and supports long‑term sustainability.
