Solicitors for a boat operator, who’s in dispute with the Office of Public Works, have outlined options, which they claim, could allow Skellig Michael to open for the summer.
The island had been due to reopen earlier this month but this has been delayed because of a row over the issuing of boat landing permits.
Late last year the OPW held a competition to award 15 permits to land passengers on Sceilg Mhichíl this summer.
Three unsuccessful applicants are taking legal action.
The OPW says, under EU and Irish law, it can’t issue permits to the 15 unsuccessful applicants until the legal cases are resolved.
The agency, which is responsible for the UNESCO World Heritage site, says a date for the High Court to hear its motion to lift this suspension has been assigned for either June 3rd or 4th.
The solicitors for an unsuccessful applicant have written to the OPW’s legal representatives stating that their clients are anxious to see the Skellig Michael landing permits issued and don’t want to see friends, relatives, or the community lose out.
They’ve set out several options to resolve the dispute which is impacting South Kerry tourism and the wider economy.
These include issuing boat permits for the 2025 season without entering into a framework agreement or that this agreement would be limited to the end of this summer season. They say the OPW could then issue a new competition for 2026 to 2030, agree to pay damages for the loss of this season to the solicitors’ clients, and pay their legal costs.
The unsuccessful boat operator’s solicitors say they hope a compromise can be reached and are open to mediation.
