Emergency patients needing to be airlifted to hospital from a Co Mayo island have to be winched on to the helicopter as larger rescue craft have outgrown the local helipad built 12 years ago.
The last three patients airlifted from Inishturk Island (population 85) to hospital had to be winched aboard as the concrete helipad isn't large enough to accommodate the wheels of modern helicopters, according to Cllr Frank Chambers, a Dáil candidate.
With virtually incessant storms all winter, the situation is making the island inhabitants feel extremely isolated, Mr Chambers said.
Efforts to find an alternative location for a helipad are proving difficult because of the island's rugged terrain.
According to island development manager Mary Catherine Heanue, the Irish Coast Guard Service, which operates the emergency response service, has confirmed there is no suitable alternative site on the island for a helipad.
Ms Heanue said council engineers and officials from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs are due to visit the island to investigate the situation in the next few weeks, weather permitting. Her proposal is that the existing helipad be extended.