Kerry County Council has been lambasted for its response to a request for a casual trading bay at a viewing point near Castleisland.
The issue arose at the recent meeting of the Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District, following a motion from independent councillor Jackie Healy-Rae.
He asked the council to look at allowing a casual trading bay for the summer season at the Glounsharoon view point outside Castleisland.
Responding to the motion from Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, Kerry County Council advised having taken key factors into consideration, including its location adjacent to the N21, that this area would not be suitable for a casual trading bay.
In response, Cllr Healy-Rae told the meeting that the Kerry Scenic Platform project was delivered by the four local councillors in conjunction with the Castleisland Chamber Alliance.
He said up to €80,000 was spent to do up this location, and believes the addition of a horsebox selling coffee, a bench and a few parking spaces would only provide a boost for the platform and Castleisland town.
Cllr Healy-Rae added god forbid that an effort be made to try and attract people to use the amenity and labelled the council’s response as “ridiculous”, adding "ye might as well shut the whole thing down if this is your attitude".
The motion was seconded by Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin who said if the area is safe enough to stop and take in the views, it’s safe enough to have a cup of coffee; adding the casual trading bye-laws need to be reviewed.
Independent councillor Charlie Farrelly also aired his support for the motion saying he’s lost for words how this can’t be done, he added if this view point was in Killarney the council would be bending over backwards to provide such a facility.
Cllr Farrelly asked how was it ok to have a council chip dump at this location with lorries stopping 24/7, but how no effort can be made to provide an amenity for the thousands of people who stop at the view every weekend.
Cllr Healy-Rae added he’d put a bet on that the vast majority of cars stopping at the scenic platform are coming from the Limerick side into the county and the provision of a trading bay would not raise traffic issues here.
The council responded advising given key considerations including it’s position by a national primary route, that the location is unsuitable, and adding a coffee stand would be a significant change; however, it will pass the councillors feedback to the relevant department.
