Speaking to RTÉ News, Mr O’Brien said he intends to move forward with the plan following the Oireachtas transport committee’s decision to release its report on the possible legislation yesterday.
The proposed removal of the passenger cap has been highly controversial for several years. Local residents have voiced strong opposition, while businesses and aviation industry groups argue that lifting the restriction is essential for the continued growth of the airline sector.
A spokesperson for Mr O'Brien has said that the removal of the passenger cap is a "priority for the Minister of Transport" and "Lifting the cap and precluding any future cap is critically important for our country, in terms of connectivity and economic growth."
The passenger cap was set at 32 million a year in 2007 when planning for terminal 2 began. The cap was set up to reduce the amount of noise and disturbance caused by the airport to people in its locality.
However in recent years it has been describe as "a false inhibitor" and Mr O’Brien said Dublin Airport is "a critical employer" and "a critical piece of infrastructure" for this country.
A bill will be brought forward to government this month to remove the cap once and for all. A move the minister says will improve our country economically.
