The Irish Farmers' Association has expressed disappointment that Cork County Council has failed to put a ferry service in place to Dursey Island today following the suspension of the island's cable car service from last night.
Islanders and farmers were told in early February that their daily cable car service would be suspended from yesterday until November so that urgent maintenance work can be carried out.
Donal O'Donovan, chair of West Cork IFA says this matter is urgent as lambing is underway.
Mr O'Donovan said the farmers are very disappointed that the promised ferry service hasn't been put in place in time.
"Farmers in the area have contacted me to point out the difficulties this will create for them. They are particularly disappointed that the service wasn’t put in place in time".
As of now there is no starting date for the ferry service.
Mr O'Donovan appealed to the local authority to get a ferry operation up and running as soon as possible.
"This will be very disruptive for farmers who have cows and ewes on Dursey Island, and who depend on a service to get them across to check on their livestock at this crucial time in the farming calendar," he said.
This evening, a spokesperson for Cork County Council told RTÉ that it expected a "preferred tenderer will be identified next week."
"Cork County Council has, as per public expenditure obligations, initiated an emergency negotiated tender process for the appointment of an interim ferry service," the statement said.
"Tenders have been invited by Council and it is expected that a preferred tenderer will be identified next week following receipt and assessment of tender responses."
