Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter regarding boat operators (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14697/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe dates for the visitor season at Skellig Michael in 2015 were decided early this year and were confirmed by me in a Parliamentary Question on 15th January. The dates in question are 15 May to 30 September, weather permitting. These are virtually the same dates as in 2014 (16 May - 29 September), so there has been no curtailment of the length of the season.
In previous years, there has been pressure from local interests to access the island earlier than Mid-May. It has been advised on many occasions in the past in response to such demands that this is not possible due to the significant amount of work that needs to be done in the period immediately prior to the official opening. During this period, the site needs to be prepared to receive visitors by the execution of significant Health and Safety preparations for the season carried out. In particular, after the winter the site has to be fully assessed, any hazards cleared from public areas and any necessary repairs carried out. These vital preparatory works are essential in advance of opening the island to the public.
It is undeniable that, in previous years certain Boatmen have ignored the published visitor season dates and landed visitors on the Island when it remains in an unsafe, unprepared condition and is without Guides who provide the trained emergency response including radios, defibrillator, oxygen, first aid etc. In 2014 in particular, visitors were landed on the Island in early May in the middle of a particularly hazardous situation brought about by the severe winter storms. At this time, there were active rockfalls in particular which made the site especially dangerous and enabling the presence of visitors including young children in this scenario, was, in the view of the Commissioners of Public Works, completely irresponsible. This has prompted them to take direct enforcement action this year.
In consultation with the relevant officials of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport the OPW has agreed to the insertion of the season dates in the relevant DTTAS Passenger Licence which is required for the carriage of passengers to Skellig Michael. This will mean that any landings on the Island outside the relevant dates will constitute a breach of the Department's Licence Conditions. Boatmen will however still be permitted to sail to Skellig Michael with visitors and circumnavigate the Island, as a considerable number frequently do, without any fear of breaching the conditions of their Licence.
