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Children's Rights Over Flights

@rightoverflight.bsky.social

88 followers 19 following 95 posts

We want to see children’s rights prioritized above polluting flights. Every sector needs to play its part in tackling climate change, including aviation. Increasing flights is reckless in the face of the climate emergency.

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Feb 12

Sign our petition to keep the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to protect our climate and our children's futures. my.uplift.ie/petitions/ke...

Keep the Dublin Airport Passenger Cap - Help protect children from harm

I've just signed this petition to keep the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to protect our climate and our children's futures. Will you sign too?

my.uplift.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 2d

Funding deficits for essential rural public transport services and affordable public transport fares? There is a simple and just solution: impose taxes on polluting flights. Excellent letter from Friends of the Irish Environment in today's Irish Times.

Sir , – Minister Darragh O’Brien’s Department of Transport has identified a “funding gap” for Public Service Obligations (PSO) of €250 million.

The PSO imposes an obligation on the Government to shore up routes that might not be commercially successful, but are nonetheless considered essential, especially in rural areas. These include BusConnects and the “connecting Ireland rural mobility plan,” the Young Adult Card and the 90-minute fare free child fares inclusion of those aged five to eight-years old.

Acknowledging that it is not “fiscally responsible” to maintain such a deficit, the Department proposed a new “sustainable funding model” to “plug the gap”.

The alternatives offered are an increase in public transport fares, cutting public transport services or taking €250 million a year away from National Development Plan infrastructure projects.

An alternative would be for Mr O’Brien to reinstate the €10 tax on airline tickets imposed by minister for transport Noel Dempsey in 2009 but cancelled by his successor Leo Varadkar in 2014.

Ireland is in a minority worldwide in not imposing any airline tax. Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands maintain airport taxes ranging from €29 to €42 per passenger, while even the United States imposes a passenger facility charge (PFC) which averages €37. All increase according to distance.

The UK’s short-haul tax is a modest €15 air passenger duty (APD) for short-haul economy class fares, with an increase in taxes in April 2025 and again in April 2026 which will include a 50 per cent increase on private jets – from €673 to €1,141.

A flight from Dublin to Rome attracts no tax. Returning you will contribute to another country’s climate efforts. Restoring the air travel tax could meet the funding gap required to maintain our Government’s commitment to public transport – and would also be a step towards climate justice. – Yours, etc,

TONY LOWES,

Friends of the Irish Environment,

Co Cork.

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 2d

Echoing FOE call for aviation fuel to be taxed - why should the aviation industry get a free pass on rules other sectors follow ? Why is the Government giving tax breaks to the environmentally destructive aviation industry, thereby foregoing revenue needed to fund other just transition measures?

Friends of the Earth Ireland @foeireland.bsky.social · 2d

We have spotlighted five things to watch in Budget 2026 tomorrow to assess the Government’s commitment to tackling the interlinked climate and cost of living crises

Read it here: bit.ly/5thingsBudge...

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 5d

Supporting this call from Friends of the Irish Environment to reinstate air travel tax to support public transport www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.org/press-releas...

Call on Minister to reinstate Air Travel Tax to support public transport - Friends of the Irish Environment

www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.org

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 7d

🌊100,000+ Irish homes,businesses (4.5%) vulnerable to coastal flooding. Uninsurability rising. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

😯Meanwhile: Reckless campaign by aviation interests to increase flights MORE. Our government acting to lift Dublin Airport cap -large INCREASES in pollution.
#KeepTheCap

Areas on Dublin’s northside among most at-risk from ‘extreme coastal events’

New analysis raises likelihood that thousands of properties will become uninsurable

www.irishtimes.com

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 11d

Welcoming Deirdre Duffy highlighting in this article what so many lobbyists on the passenger cap issue are ignoring - "more planes in the sky today is not compatible with a stable climate for our children".
www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

Turbulence ahead as opinions clash over passenger cap

The war of words over Dublin Airport's controversial passenger cap shows no sign of easing up anytime soon, amid very conflicting opinions on what should happen.

www.rte.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 19d

👏Well said Jack. It's appalling that international aviation pollution is not being addressed in any meaningful way.
😮Imagine if all adults shrugged off their responsibilities to children in the same way? Aviation lobbyists: protecting kids from climate harms = ALL sectors driving down emissions.

= THE IRISH TIMES =»
Airlines and emissions

Sir, — I thoroughly enjoyed reading a
letter today (September 17th) which laid
out a history of Dublin Airports
passenger numbers, and questioned
how an expansion of the passenger cap
on our nation’s largest airport is
compatible with Ireland’s binding
greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reduction target of 51 per cent (based
on 1990 levels) by 2030.

Well, I have terrible news for everything
on this planet (except perhaps the
pockets of airlines and airport authority
shareholders). An expansion of Dublin
Airport's passenger numbers will have
little effect on Ireland's GHG emissions
because we, like most other countries in
the world, do not count emissions
generated by international flights
towards our tally.

This is because, as everyone knows, the
emissions generated by a flight from say
Dublin to Paris, cannot possibly be
attributable to either Ireland or France
while there is any opportunity for
policymakers to shrug off
responsibility. - Yours, etc,

JACK WOGAN,

Newcastle,

Co Galway.

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 19d

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly starts next week.The world needs to watch.
International aviation was left out of the Paris Agreement - ICAO is supposed to address this (not just CO₂, also non-CO₂ effects). www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Revealed: ‘Corporate capture’ of UN aviation body by industry

Exclusive: Industry delegates outnumbered climate experts by 14 to one at recent ICAO meeting, thinktank says

www.theguardian.com

Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 20d

👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏼 "A child could tell you that the maths doesn’t add up and that Dublin Airport’s emissions levels will spiral if the planned trajectory is 60 million passengers."
👏We agree with Mark's letter in the Irish Times.
📣 Don't scrap the cap
Sign our petition here: my.uplift.ie/petitions/ke...

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Reposted by Children's Rights Over Flights

Anna Pringle @annapr.bsky.social · 24d

Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien: we can grow Dublin Airport ‘sustainably’ from 36m to 60m passengers.
Mary Wilson: What about climate, have you run the numbers on emissions?
Minister: No question there will be an increase, SAF exists, planes more technologically advanced now…

#SpeirGorm
+

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 23d

Minister for environment announcing he will scrap cap on Dublin Airport - Ireland's emissions from aviation are increasing - this action to increase them even more is irresponsible in the climate crisis

The Irish Times. Lifting the cap. Sir, How disappointing to hear of the Government's plan to scrap the cap at Dublin Airport. Given that Ireland's carbon emissions from aviation are already increasing at a time of climate crisis, our Government taking this action is irresponsible. Air and nose pollution are also increasing as a result of more flights into and out of Dublin Airport. We are putting our children, grandchildren and future generations at greater peril by increasing our carbon emissions and pollution levels. You're etc Miriam Mooney Rathgar Dublin 6

Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 24d

Appalled to hear that Minister O’Brien is attempting to push through the removal of the passenger cap at Dublin airport. It's shocking that a minister tasked with tackling climate crisis is taking steps that would massively increase the pollution causing it. www.rte.ie/news/2025/09...

Legislation to end Dublin Airport passenger cap due soon

The process of drafting legislation that will remove Dublin Airport's 32 million a year passenger cap is expected to happen soon.

www.rte.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 25d

Ban night flights, stop airport expansions.
We stand with communities in Ireland impacted by harmful night flights. Kids need adequate rest for their well-being.
They also need urgent climate action from aviation, to help protect their futures.🌎
#RedLinesForAirports
@staygroundednet.bsky.social

International day to BAN NIGHT FLIGHTS at airports. Families no longer having a peaceful home... Communities not getting enough rest... Children not being able to get enought sleep... Even MORE harmful aviation pollution... should be #RedLinesForAirports

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 27d

@foeireland.bsky.social great submission

Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · 27d

Friends of the Earth call for international aviation emissions to be included in Ireland's carbon budgets, in line with Paris agreement. Ireland’s international aviation emissions are 11% of energy-related emissions. No to climate free passes for aviation! www.friendsoftheearth.ie/publications...

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Sep 7

Good to see launch of John Gibbons @sinkorswim.bsky.social book The Lie of the Land, including a section on aviation www.thejournal.ie/readme/john-...

John Gibbons: Ireland had a 'Goldilocks' climate - but we've been killing Goldilocks

Climate writer John Gibbons shares an extract from his new book about how Ireland risks ruining our ‘climatic sweet spot’.

www.thejournal.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Aug 21

It truly is insanity. On our current trajectory, our children and future generations will no doubt question why their parents/ancestors failed to rein in such a polluting activity to help protect them from climate collapse. #Aviation #ActOnClimate

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Reposted by Children's Rights Over Flights

Elaine Baker @elaineactivism.bsky.social · Aug 12

Great to see this video of July @staygroundednet.bsky.social gathering in Barcelona of activists on the destructive impact of aviation on the climate and communities. I represented @rightoverflight.bsky.social. I, and everyone there, travelled there by land and sea. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNkX...

Beyond Aviation, Tourism, and Capitalism Conference

YouTube video by Stay Grounded

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Children's Rights Over Flights

Angela Deegan @adeedub.bsky.social · Jul 29

Anxious about the worsening climate crisis and want to turn your anxiety into action/hope? Then RSVP now to hear about some of the major climate issues facing Ireland and to connect with and explore taking climate action with others in your community.
www.eventbrite.com/e/1437710293...

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jul 30

Dublin Airport Authority ad has been ruled misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority. This ad is part of an ongoing climate greenwashing campaign by DAA, a semi state body childrensrightsoverflights.ie/2025/07/29/c...

CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR END TO AVIATION GREENWASHING AFTER WATCHDOG RULES DAA AD ‘MISLEADING’

Credit: Children’s Rights Over Flights campaign group welcomes decision that requires greater transparency on claims about airport pollution 23rd July, Dublin – Parents, grandparents and…

childrensrightsoverflights.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jul 7

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

DAA chief failed to tell Eamon Ryan about airline shares before appointment

Kenny Jacobs told minister he had ‘no conflict of interest’ when joining board of State airport company

www.irishtimes.com

Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jul 7

Our member @elaineactivism.bsky.social was happy to be able to participate in this action, in solidarity with local communities in Barcelona, after a ferry and train journey from Ireland

Stay Grounded @staygroundednet.bsky.social · Jul 7

🚨 RED LINES FOR AIRPORTS!

Stay Grounded supporters from around Europe joined locals in Barcelona to oppose the planned expansion of Barcelona El-Prat.

This action was organised by @zeroportbcn.bsky.social to coincide with the end of our international strategy conference.

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jul 2

Great to see positive steps towards fair contributions of aviation to climate action. We call on Ireland to sign up. www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Eight-country coalition aims to tax luxury air travel

Countries including France, Kenya, Barbados and Spain on Monday launched a coalition to push for taxes on wealthy air passengers to help poorer nations respond to climate change, the French presidency...

www.france24.com

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jun 20

Calling for closure of loopholes in the European ETS scheme to make it effective at reducing aviation emissions - you can submit too - even a few lines is enough - deadline 8th July childrensrightsoverflights.ie/2025/06/20/c...

Calling for the European ETS scheme to impose stricter limits on aviation emissions

The European Union are conducting a consultation on the European Trading System (ETS). This is a mechanism for limiting total emissions by requiring emittors to have “allowances” or per…

childrensrightsoverflights.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jun 17

If demand has quadrupled, but aviation has become twice as efficient, then emissions will double. To meet climate targets, absolute emissions must contract. Aviation industry is blindsiding us with data on efficiency, while increasing demand and emissions.
www.echolive.ie/corkviews/ar...

Catherine Conlon: Sorry, tourists, an aviation tax is only way to cut emissions

This measure would be hugely unpopular but would target the ‘super-emitters’, writes CATHERINE CONLON.

www.echolive.ie

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Children's Rights Over Flights @rightoverflight.bsky.social · Jun 9

Tune into Dublin Community TV on Virgin Media channel 802 or www.dctv.ie/live/ at 7:20pm tonight or any night this week to see an interview with members of Children's Rights Over Flights, calling out the DAA co-hosted aviation greenwashing event on Friday, and discussing other campaign topics.

Live – Dublin Community Television

www.dctv.ie

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