Sceilg Mhichíl boat season
Deputy Daly said boat operators bringing visitors to Sceilg Mhichíl had lost valuable season days because of a High Court-related dispute and poor communication. The Tánaiste said he would ask Minister of State Moran to engage directly and clarify the situation.
The boat operators who bring visitors to land at Sceilg Mhichíl usually have a short season of about 100 days once the season opens, which this year happened on 10 May. These local people from Portmagee, Valencia and Baile an Sceilg have now lost 10% of these days in the best May weather in years. This is affecting their livelihoods and those of local businesses and is disappointing tourists from all over the world. It relates to a High Court case, but the people there are in limbo. They say there has been a lack of communication from the OPW and silence from the Government and Ministers. Will the Tánaiste break the logjam, provide clarity for the boatmen and make a decision to allow trips to return to the Skelligs before the season gets even busier?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Daly. I have known the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, to be described in many ways, but silent is a new one on me. I will ask him to engage directly with the Deputy. I have heard about the challenge this has created, the impact it is having on the livelihoods of people and the vacuum or lack of clarity on the position. On foot of the Deputy raising this issue today, I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, to contact him directly to discuss the matter.