The provision of a rope railing on the steep steps of the monastic hermitage of the Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry has been ruled out by the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Tom Parlon.
He said this would take from the site's world heritage status and "lend a false sense of security" to visitors.
Kerry County Council had requested the railing on foot of a council motion which heard safety measures were absent and needed to be put in place on the Skellig Michael rock.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill said it was an extremely dangerous place for "thousands of visitors" each year.
"A rope railing would be a huge improvement, particularly on a wet, windy day," he said.
The seventh century monastic settlement perched 218 metres (715ft) above sea level on the steep sides of the island is one of only three Unesco world heritage sites in the country. The others are Brú na Bóinne and the Giant's Causeway in the North.
Mr Parlon, in his response to the request, said the OPW was fully conscious of the measures needed "on the one hand to protect and preserve the delicate fabric of Skellig Michael, and on the other to ensure the safety of persons who visit the island". Unesco was satisfied an appropriate visitor management strategy was in operation, Mr Parlon said.
The "invasive nature" of the work required in the provision of a rope railing strung the length of the steps leading to the monastery would take from the authenticity under which the world heritage site status was obtained.
"It would also, perhaps, lend a false sense of security to visitors to the island," Mr Parlon said.