MUST IRELAND WAIT UNTIL U.S BLOCKS AER LINGUS FLIGHTS, OR CANCELS MARTIN’S WHITE HOUSE VISIT, BEFORE DUBLIN’S ILLEGAL CAP IS SCRAPPED??

Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, today (Wed, 21 Jan) called for Micheál “do-nothing” Martin to return immediately from this week’s “doss in Davos”, and pass Legislation to scrap Dublin Airport’s illegal cap before the end of January. Otherwise, Ireland runs the real risk, that the Trump Administration will block Aer Lingus flights landing in the USA, or even worse, Micheál Martin’s March trip to the White House. Micheál Martin’s inaction on the Dublin Airport cap is indefensible, 13 months after his 20-seat majority Govt published their Program in Jan 2025, promising that the Dublin cap would be scrapped “as soon as possible”. Sadly, in Micheál Martin’s world “as soon as possible” means 1, 2, or 3 years maybe later.

The inaction of Micheál Martin’s Govt is an embarrassment. Airlines 4 America have now filed a complaint with the U.S DOT, calling on the U.S Govt to take reciprocal action against Ireland for its indefensible failure to scrap the cap. The main reason for this inaction is Micheál Martin’s never-ending “worldwide tour”, which last year included visits to Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Angola, and frequent trips to Brussels. Already in Jan, he has been to China, and this week he is wasting more time “dossing in Davos” getting his photo taken, while his Govt delivers zero action here at home. What chance has Ireland got of real reform on housing or infrastructure, when Micheál Martin’s Govt (with a 20-seat majority) haven’t scrapped the Dublin Airport cap, 13 months after they promised to do “as soon as possible”.

Irish airports can grow, but only if Micheál Martin acts NOW to scrap the Dublin cap, freeze the DAA’s high fees, and reform Europe’s unfair ETS taxation scam. Ryanair could grow its Irish traffic by 50% from 23m to 35m passengers by 2032, base an additional 20 aircraft in Ireland ($2bn invest), and create thousands more jobs across Ireland, but we need Govt action on aviation and tourism.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said:

“Micheál Martin’s failure to scrap the cap 13 months after he promised to do – despite a majority of 20 seats – is an international joke. The time has passed for promises, cabinet discussions, heads of bills, or any more delay. It’s time for action! In Feb, the European Court of Justice will rule on Ireland’s illegal cap, which is in breach of Europe’s Charter on freedom of movement. This cap is also contrary to the EU – U.S open skies agreement. After 13 months of inaction,  Airlines 4 America has now made a complaint to the U.S DOT, calling for immediate action to force Ireland to scrap this illegal cap. None of this would be necessary, if our “do-nothing” Taoiseach and his “do-nothing” Govt had delivered their (Jan 2025) promise to scrap this cap as soon as possible.

The problem Ireland suffers is a “do-nothing” Taoiseach leading a “do-nothing” Govt. Micheál Martin prefers overseas trips rather than delivering real action on his Govt Program here at home. It’s time for Micheál Martin to scrap the cap, or quit. His failure to deliver, and that of his Govt, is indefensible and inexplicable.

The NAMA Legislation was passed within 24hours. Why can’t his Govt pass the Legislation to scrap this cap within 1 week or 1 month? He has a 20-seat majority, he’s had 13 months to pass this law, so he should get on with the job and allow the airlines – both Ryanair, and American – to continue to grow traffic, tourism, and economic wealth for Ireland. In 2025 Dublin Airport handled 36.4m pax, which is 4.2m more than the cap. This cap is not only illegal, but is completely outdated and irrelevant.  

It’s time for Micheál Martin to spend more time at home, delivering his Program for Govt (“scrap the cap”), and if necessary, send his Ministers overseas on junkets. If Micheál Martin spent more time at home, and less on his never-ending “worldwide tour”, then the illegal Dublin Airport cap would already be scrapped, and real reform on housing and infrastructure would be delivered as well.”