Michael Sheeran said the protracted sale of the islands to the state "has all the hallmarks" of a row that could end up in court. "It's all coming to a head, with the government trying to do sweetheart deals and the implicit threat that we're going to be stopped ferrying visitors to the island this year, " said Sheeran, who claimed that if 25% of landing rights go to An Blascaod Mor Teoranta, he will be put out of business. "I've been bringing people to the island for 20 years and they have a historical right of way."

Meanwhile a spokesman for the Office of Public Works said that legal opinion on the landing-rights matter has raised further issues that merit discussion. "The OPW is fully committed to resolving and ensuring this project goes ahead, " he said.