Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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256. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a permit and a competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7883/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) intend to advertise an additional Permit for the Skellig Michael passenger route and, with this in mind, are currently preparing a Competition process to allow interested parties to apply to be considered.

The award of the Permit will be made by the OPW after a publicly advertised competition process and it will be open to all parties with an interest to submit applications at the appropriate time.

Currently, the OPW are finalising the necessary documentation and legal consultation and expect to advertise the competition publicly as soon as it is feasible.It is not expected that the competition process will be concluded in time for the start of the new Season in mid May, though it is hoped that a new Operator will be in a position to commence during the course of this year.