Tenders have again been invited for a year round passenger air service from the mainland to and from the Aran Islands.
The airport at Inverin in Connemara has been specified this time as the mainland terminal.
There was controversy and protest last year when the company Executive Helicopters was selected to provide a helicopter passenger service to the Aran Islands – with Galway Airport being the mainland take off and landing point.
The new tender invitation for air services for the Aran Islands comes in the wake of a bitter dispute last year.
Longford based Executive helicopters came out on top in the tender process.
The services to the three Aran Islands of Inis Mor, Inis Oirr and Inis Meain would operate from the Galway Airport site in Carnmore and it would be by helicopter.
This caused outrage in the Aran Islands – fixed wing planes suitable for travel to islands with a mainland base in Inverin had operated for many years.
The island community backed by many people on the mainland organised strong protests.
It also emerged that Galway Airport would not be available.
The arrangement was eventually shelved by Gaeltacht Minister, Joe McHugh.
The new tender specifies that Inverin will be the mainland base and that 3.6 million euro is available in Government support over a four year period.
The third of June is the last day for tenders.
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