Latest news with #GarretSimons
The Journal
10-06-2025
- The Journal
Landings at Skellig Michael set to begin today after another delay to permits for operators
BOAT TRIPS TO Skellig Micheal are due to begin today after the High Court ordered that the Office of Public Works (OPW) allow boat trips to the island, pending a wider legal battle. It comes as the permits were once again delayed over the weekend, causing Skellig Michael's tourism network to hit out at the OPW. Every year, fifteen operators are awarded landing permits which allow them to bring 12 visitors each – a maximum of 180 visitors across the 15 operators – to the island each day. Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a location heavily featured in two Star Wars films. The island is a popular tourist spot and brings a great deal of business to the local area. Two companies, which were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, made a judicial review application, resulting in a delay to the granting of permits. The season runs from May to the end of September. Last Tuesday at the High Court, Justice Garret Simons said he was 'staggered' by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it would need six months to prepare the case. The judge said the court would give the case 'top priority', adding that the court had 'gone out of its way' to facilitate an early trial. Advertisement Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of last week on whether to lift the suspension of the permits. On Thursday, the judge granted an application by the Office of Public Works to lift an automatic suspension on landing at the island. However, on Saturday the Skellig Coast Tourism Network said that the OPW has always had the legal authority to issue temporary permits and it should 'never have required a court order to be implemented'. The season was initially set to begin on 10 May, prior to the legal challenge. After Thursday's ruling, the OPW announced that landings would begin on Saturday 7 June, but this was then postponed and pushed out to today, 10 June, the network continued. It accused the OPW of failing to 'meaningfully include' the local community and the boatmen. The OPW has confirmed that the OPW guiding team arrived on the island on Sunday and are working towards commencing landings on the heritage site today. 'Following the High Court's decision to lift the suspension on 2025 permits issuing, the OPW is working with the boat operators to progress the final steps of the permit process and to ensure compliance,' a statement said. 'For the 2025 visitor season, there will be three guides stationed on the island at all times. It is intended that landings will commence on Tuesday, 10 June, subject to weather conditions. Visitors should check directly with their boat operator to confirm sailings.' The OPW has been asked for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Judge to decide on suspension of Sceilg Mhichíl permits
A High Court judge will decide this week whether to lift a suspension on boating permits for ferries to and from the UNESCO heritage island Sceilg Mhichíl, saying the case requires top priority as "people's livelihoods are at risk". The permits have not been issued while legal proceedings are before the courts in the form of a judicial review of the tendering process. At the High Court, Mr Justice Garret Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works that it would need six months to prepare the case. He ordered it to be heard next month. Two companies, which were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, have made a judicial review application, resulting in a delay to the granting of permits. The season runs from May to the end of September. The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome. The OPW said that under Irish and EU law, it was then precluded from issuing permits for the 2025 summer season until legal proceedings were resolved. Skellig Michael Boat Trips and Atlantic Endeavour Limited both dispute the process underpinning the granting of the licences, alleging it to be "deficient" and "without transparency" and have been granted permission for the challenge. At the High Court, David Dodd BL, for the plaintiffs, told Mr Justice Simons that nobody wanted to prevent boats from visiting the island. He said permits could be granted by the court in an interim fashion, as the issuing of a one-season permit was not a "contract", as contended by the OPW. He said his clients are happy for the suspension to be lifted. Mr Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck SC, for the OPW, why it would take six months to prepare for what the judge described as "the most straightforward case of competition for licences". Mr Beck said there was discovery of documents needed, amendments to make and a possible issue around cross-examination. Mr Justice Simons said he was "staggered" that the case would take up to six months to get on and that there were "livelihoods" at stake. The judge said the court would give the case "top priority", adding that the court had "gone out of its way" to facilitate an early trial. Mr Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of this week on whether to lift the suspension of the permits. He adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to 21 July.
