A Kerry County Councillor wants Skellig Michael to open earlier for landings next year and into the future.
Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty tabled the motion at the recent meeting of Kerry County Council.
Cllr Norma Moriarty asked the council to call to the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Kevin 'Boxer' Moran to ensure an earlier opening is possible for landings at Skellig Michael from next year onwards.
She says Sceilg Mhichíl is important to the entire county.
She says weather patterns show that we get better weather earlier in the year, compared to later in the summer or into the early Autumn.
Cllr Moriarty says there were only 61 landing days in Skellig Michael this year; she says this was partly due to a delayed opening due to a legal dispute regarding the issuing of licences for landing permits.
Cllr Norma Moriarty says a 40% reduction compared to what would be the norm is a killer blow to any industry.
She says if maintenance works were carried out on the island earlier in the year, this would help maximise landings on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking weather and weather patterns into account.
