The Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, is examining several alternative sites on the Cork and Kerry coastline for the Loran-C radio navigation mast originally planned for Co Clare.
This follows his offer to reward any coastal community that accepted the structure. Two Cork islands have expressed initial interest in taking the 720ft mast, to be built as part of a north European land-based navigational system to which Ireland is committed.
Its original siting at Loop Head, Co Clare, was stalled by Mr Fahey's predecessor, Dr Michael Woods, two years ago after opposition from the local community and a protracted period of litigation.
Bere Island in Co Cork has held preliminary discussions with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, while Cape Clear island would be willing to talk to the Minister, according to its island co-op leader, Mr Micheal O Ceadagain.
Community leaders on both islands have said they are more concerned with improved safety at sea than with the Minister's promised reward. "Anything that improves navigation at sea off this treacherous coastline has to be considered by all of us," Mr O Ceadagain said. The Minister has confirmed that alternative locations are being looked at in both "Cork and Kerry", but discussions were at a sensitive stage.
He said he had met a French community involved with the Loran-C system and it had argued in favour of the system because it would bring considerable improvements in safety at sea. It would act as a back-up to the US-controlled satellite Global Positioning System (GPS).
He said his first choice was still Loop Head, which is regarded as most suitable by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. "We looked at altering the mast's configuration and lowering its height, but that is not feasible," he added.
The Minister made several appeals this year for an alternative location, saying he did not accept there were any serious health risks associated with the mast. He also referred to a reward several times.
"While we are not in the business of wheeling and dealing, if we do find such a community I will be prepared to look at development possibilities in its area," he said in the Dail last May.
