Ministers have backed a plan for a third runway at Heathrow to be in operation by 2035 as they opted for the longer, costlier runway drawn up by the airport's owners as the basis for its expansion. The 33bn scheme for a 2.2-mile (3.5km) north-western runway crossing the M25 motorway was picked in preference as the most credible and deliverable option, ahead of a rival plan submitted by the Arora Group.
A 32 million passenger cap, a planning condition issued by the airport's local authority, has long come under legal and political scrutiny. But Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien secured Cabinet sign-off to address the matter through legislation on Tuesday. In a statement, he said: "This Government recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport as our primary international gateway, and the contribution it makes to our economy. "Today, I sought agreement to pursue a legislative course of action to bring much-needed clarity to all stakeholders."