Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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385. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will examine an appeal in regard to a decision to disqualify a Skellig boat operator in County Kerry from renewing their licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16776/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted landing permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.

Under EU procurement rules the compliant procurement process for this competition is an Open Competition via the eTenders system. The invitation to tender was uploaded on Etenders on the 12th December 2024. Tender applications were received by the due date and assessed by the Evaluation panel. All applicants were notified in writing of the outcome of the competition.

Operating the competition via the Etenders system ensured that procurement rules were adhered to and the process was completed in a fair and transparent manner. The volume of applications exceeded the available number of 15 permits resulting in considerable disappointment for some applicants.

Under GDPR regulations and procurement rules neither I nor the Office of Public Works are permitted to discuss the details of the competition with parties other than the Applicant. The Office of Public Works tender evaluation panel can reply to any queries from any of the Applicants via the Etenders system. If the Applicant in question wishes to raise a query regarding this competition they may do so via the Etenders system.