The Aran Islands are still without a full cargo service due to the continued detention in port of the regular ferry from Galway.
The Oileann Arainn, owned by O'Brien Shipping Ltd, has been tied up since last week following inspections by a Maritime Safety Directorate surveyor and Department of Marine engineer.
Safety and technical flaws will have to be rectified before the ferry can resume its thrice weekly sailings.
The Happy Hooker, has been shipping light loads to the islands since late last week, but the full cargo service remains suspended. Last week, the ferry was also prevented from sailing by the Galway Harbour Office due to €25,000 in unpaid dues, but a cheque was paid late on Friday.
The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs pays €603,000 annually for the cargo and passenger service provided from Galway docks by the Co Clare company. The contract which it has held for the past 12 years has been criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Department intends to end the service in two years and to run cargo from Rossaveal from 2007.
Last year, O'Brien Shipping was fined €3,000 for hygiene breaches in delivering foodstuffs to the islands. The directors, Mr Kevin O'Brien and Mr Bill O'Brien (not related), also own Doolin Ferries and were jailed in September for a night after being found in contempt of a court order aimed at easing tensions between rival ferry companies in the Clare harbour.
