Dublin Airport's attempt to expand its car-parking facilities could be derailed after its bid for a nearby 6,000 vehicle-capacity carpark was referred to Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
After airport managing director Vincent Harrison told the Irish parliament's transport committee on January 17 that a €70 million bid had been made for the carpark, Gerald Craughwell, a senator, said he would refer the potential deal to the commission.
Craughwell agreed with airport officials that the hub needs to expand parking facilities, despite already having space for 26,000 cars. However the senator said the airport did not need to run the carpark, adding that parking charges at the airport were a "ripoff".
Airport chief executive Kenny Jacobs had earlier told the committee that €1.9bn would be invested in improving airport facilities and infrastructure "over the coming years" and said passenger charges were below 2019 prices.