A proposal to formally change the name of Dublin Airport to honour the late former taoiseach Seán Lemass has progressed to the second stage in the Dáil, reports RTE.
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who introduced the legislation, stressed that the move is “not simply a question of changing a sign”.
“It’s about recognising a leader whose vision transformed Ireland and whose polices opened the gateway through which millions now pass,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr Byrne pointed out that the airport’s social media channels had recently floated the idea of naming it after Irish footballer Troy Parrott following his hat-trick heroics.
He described this as an “interesting proposition” in light of Mr Parrott’s “inspirational performance”.
Yet Mr Byrne argued that “naming the metro line out to the airport after him” would be a more suitable tribute, reports RTE.
He said: “They both have been involved in long delays and just as hope was fading, we had delivery right at the end, or so we hope.”
Mr Byrne described Lemass as the “architect of modern Ireland, having fought in the Easter Rising and helping in the building of our fledgeling State”.
“Lemass saw aviation as a lifeline for Ireland, a bridge to a wider world,” said Mr Byrne, reports RTE.
He said Dublin Airport “owes much to his policies and foresight”.
Lemass greeted US president John F Kennedy at Dublin Airport in 1963.
Mr Byrne said that occasion “symbolised Ireland’s new confidence on the global stage”, reports RTE.
He acknowledged “that there are bigger issues that need to be addressed by the Dublin Airport Authority”.
“But this is a small and positive step,” he added.
Mr Byrne noted it is “quite common” for airports to “bear the names of leaders who shaped their nations”, reports RTE.
“Renaming Dublin Airport after Seán Lemass would be a fitting tribute to a man who stood for progress, ambition and opportunity,” he added.
He said calling it ‘Seán Lemass Dublin International Airport’ would be about “inspiring the next generation”.
A full debate on the bill and its aims is scheduled to take place, reports RTE.
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