A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael.
Sceilg Mhichíl was due to reopen on May 10th but landing permits have yet to be issued, following a legal dispute; only tours around the island are currently going ahead.
The Office of Public Works says it can’t issue permits to the successful applicants until the legal cases are resolved; three unsuccessful applicants have taken legal action.
At the High Court Mr Justice Garrett Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the OPW, claiming it would need six months to prepare the case.
He said that there were livelihoods at stake and ordered it to be heard next month, giving it "top priority".
Late last year the Office of Public Works held a competition to award 15 permits to land passengers on Sceilg Mhichíl for this summer.
Boat landings to the UNESCO World Heritage site were delayed last month following a legal challenge from unsuccessful participants in the OPW competition.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, David Dodd, told the judge that in applying to the court to have the suspension lifted, the OPW referred to a "contract" having to be in place for the boats to take to sea.
He said there should be no such "contract" and that permits issued were akin to planning permission or a gun permit being granted, neither or which, he claimed, were "contracts.
Mr Dodd added whether or not this granting amounted to a "contract", was a matter for the full hearing of the substantive case; adding "We are happy, however, for the suspension to be lifted”.
Counsel for the OPW, Andrew Beck claimed it would need six months to prepare the case, as there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross examination.
Mr Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday on whether or not he would lift the suspension of the permits and adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to July 21.
