Skellig Michael delayed boat permits row to be decided this week

A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael.
Mr Justice Garrett Simon's will decide this week whether or not to lift a suspension on boating permits needed to bring tourists to and from the UNESCO heritage island Skellig Michael, saying "people's livelihoods are at stake".
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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 on Tuesday Mr Justice Garret Simons said he was "staggered" by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) claiming it would need six months to prepare the case and ordered it to be heard next month, giving it "top priority".
The granting of permits to successful applicants was delayed as two companies who were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, which runs from May to the end of September launched a legal challenge.
The OPW ran a competition in late 2024 to award 15 boating permits for summer 2025 and serving the monastic island, which was chosen as a film location for the Star Wars movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
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However, in April 2025, two unsuccessful participants in the competition brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome of the competition.
The OPW has said that under Irish and EU law, the OPW 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 Davud Dodd BL, for the plaintiffs, told Mr Justice Simons that nobody wanted the boats to not visit the island and that 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.
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'Five-year framework'
Mr Dodd said he was resisting a suggested "five-year framework" on the OPW's granting of the permits as part of a contract but that the plaintiffs also wanted to see the boats out.
Mr Dodd said the OPW in applying to the court to have the suspension lifted had referred to a "contract" having to be in place for the boats to take to sea.
Mr Dodd said there should be no such "contract" and that permits issued were akin to planning permission or a gun permit being granted, neither or which, he claimed, were "contracts" nor necessitated frameworks.
Mr Dodd said that a permit is a statutory permit without an offer or an acceptance as found in a contract.
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Whether or not this granting amounted to a "contract", was a matter for the full hearing of the substantive case, he said.
"We are happy, however, for the suspension to be lifted," he said.
Documents
Mr Justice Simons asked Andrew Beck SC, for the OPW, how it was possible that the OPW was looking for six months to prepare the case in 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 or not he would lift the suspension of the permits and adjourned the substantive hearing of the judicial review to July 21st.

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Stauntons on the Green hotel Their prices aren't always rock bottom, but when they're at the lower end of the scale, this period property offers fantastic value, particularly for solo travellers, as there's a single room with a twin bed. This Georgian townhouse has a great location on the southern edge of Stephen's Green, but it backs onto the Iveagh Gardens – there's even a secret gate that residents can use, through the pretty hotel garden, which is a lovely spot for a glass of wine in the evenings. If your stay includes breakfast, you'll be in for a treat, with classic Irish dishes served up on pretty crockery in the drawing room. 6. Pembroke Townhouse hotel You wouldn't expect a period property in the bougie neighbourhood of Ballsbridge to have good prices, but you can often find a decent rate in the Pembroke Townhouse. The rooms vary in size, with the Snug a good space for solo travellers, and the common areas downstairs are a nice place to sit with a book. 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There's a cool open-plan space on the ground floor that's a popular co-working spot, but they also offer yoga classes in the courtyard and other events. It's in a great location for exploring the city, with some rooms overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge, and both sides of town are a quick walk away. 10. Trinity College Dublin accommodation Now, these rooms may only be available in the summer holidays, but considering that's when Dublin hotel prices skyrocket, that can only be a good thing. This university student accommodation is turned over to tourists when everyone leaves for their holidays, which means you get to relive your college days and score a bargain to boot. The quality varies, from heritage style with views of the historic courtyard to the more modern setups, but there's a good variety on offer. There are also apartments that can be rented to groups. You're in a prime position to explore the city, and the Book of Kells Experience is right on your doorstep. 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Dublin comes alive on one of Ireland's biggest national holidays, St Patrick's Day in March, when parades with colourful floats are held in the streets and arts and culture events are put on in the city to celebrate the annual saint day. Is Dublin expensive? Dublin is considered an expensive city break for tourists, but there are ways of keeping the costs down, such as opting for dorm room accommodation, making use of the fact it is a walkable city and seeking out the budget bars and eateries. What are the best free things to do? There are plenty of free museums to visit in Dublin, such as the Collins Barracks, Chester Beatty, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Gallery of Ireland. Seek out Dublin's talking statues from James Joyce to Oscar Wilde to delve deeper into their role in Ireland's history, or head to the Dublin Portal to wave at people in New York City through a livestream. 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