Kerry tourism operators call for review of OPW's role in landing permits for Skellig Michael
Continued legal row over landing permits for Skellig Michael 'costing the local community dear'. Picture: Dan Linehan
The community that relies on tourist income from Skellig Michael has called for a review of the way the Office of Public Works handles the issuing of landing permits.
The call has come as the OPW remains locked in a legal battle in the High Court with three boat companies over permits.
The row is the latest of a number in more than two decades, and community leaders say “enough is enough”.
James Murphy, who co-owns and runs Portmagee Whiskey, said: “There are three stakeholders in the island — the boat owners, the local community and the OPW.
”It can’t get the permit system right, and there is a feeling the permit system needs a review.”
The island has been owned by the Department of the Environment since 2003. Management is the responsibility of the OPW, and the National Monuments Service.
Mr Murphy said: “Feelings are running high.
The row, which is due back before the courts again at the start of June, is over the criteria by which permits are awarded.
The criteria changed after a competition to award new permits was cancelled in February 2024, and a new one later ran in its place, but it only opened a few months before the start of the season.
This gave those awarded permits little time to advertise and made it harder for them to take bookings.
It resulted in three of the 15 permits up for grabs being awarded to three new permit holders.
Three of the seven applicants who were unsuccessful took the matter to the High Court after their offer to the OPW to resolve issues around the issuing of permits was unsuccessful.
They had offered to forgo their permits for a year in return for the OPW agreeing to a new competition for permits.
The OPW was asked for a comment.
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