The State-subsidised cargo ferry to the Aran islands has been refused permission to land at Kilronan pier on Inis Mór because of concerns over safety. The Oileáin Arann was turned away from Inis Mór by the Kilronan harbourmaster yesterday without discharging its cargo. The vessel runs a thrice-weekly service to the islands on an annual €600,000 State contract awarded to O'Brien Ferries.
The harbourmaster, Mr Paddy McDonagh, declined to comment, but it is understood his action was the result of a long-running dispute with the company. The company had been informed in writing of his concerns about the safety of discharging cargo on the pier under health and safety legislation.
The Garda on Inis Mór witnessed the incident, but said that the matter was one for the harbourmaster, who was empowered under bye-laws to take such action. O'Brien Ferries is due to meet officials from Galway County Council today in an effort to resolve the dispute. Mr Bill O'Brien, director of O'Brien Ferries, told The Irish Times he had "no idea" what the row was about and he was confident that sailings to Inis Mór would resume.
Last month, the Minister for Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, said he intended to conduct an immediate review of State-subsidised ferry services between Galway and the Aran islands following an investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).The CAG's report identified serious flaws in the current arrangements made with one ferry company - O'Brien Ferries - by the Minister's Department, formerly the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
It questioned the Department's decision to renew a contract with the company in 1997 when the Department was aware of shortcomings in that service.