Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
The awarding of licences to boat owners, allowing them to land their passengers on the UNESCO World Heritage Site off the coast of South Kerry, has caused controversy as three of the existing 15 licences were not renewed.
Deputy Michael Cahill called for common sense to prevail by allowing the existing licensees, plus those newly appointed, to operate as normal for the season, even if judicial reviews are pending.
“I find it difficult to understand how boat operators, who have been ferrying passengers to the Skelligs for many years, should suddenly be refused a licence to continue. The unsuccessful applicants need to get a detailed breakdown as to why they lost out,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that the qualifying criteria need to be urgently reviewed to provide transparency. It also appears that the starting date has already been put back by four days, from May 10 to 14, which represents a loss of income on an operation that is totally dependent on fair weather conditions.
“We are talking about people’s livelihoods here,” said Deputy Cahill.
He said as the tourism industry locally is highly dependent for survival on visitors to Skellig Michael, business as usual must be allowed to continue.
“If the number of passengers allowed land on the rock is capped at 180 per day by the OPW or 12 per boat, then I believe by allowing 18 boats operate, capped at 10 per boat, seems to be a reasonable compromise,” added Deputy Cahill.
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