Kerry County Council plans to have a review of casual trading by-laws in place by the next summer season.
The issue was raised at the recent council meeting by Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin.
A report on the potential for new designated casual trading areas was presented to a recent meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy Committee.
The minutes of that SPC meeting were presented to all councillors at the full December meeting of Kerry County Council.
They show that senior engineer Fiona O’Neill presented a report assessing the need for new designated casual trading areas, as part of proposed casual trading byelaws and special licensed areas.
This review is focusing on Blue Flag beaches, greenway trailheads, and rural recreational amenities.
Each new site will be assessed on a number of points, including ownership and whether the location is under the charge of the council.
The assessment will also include availability of space for potential trading bays, traffic flow and parking capacity.
It will look at accessibility and safety, including emergency access, possible conflict with local businesses, planning constraints, and environmental sensitivities.
The minutes say additional locations may be added once new Greenway trailheads in Kerry are completed.
The Director of Services confirmed that the full process for applying for casual trading, and proposed locations, will be presented to the SPC early next year prior to public launch.
At December’s full council meeting, Fine Gael’s Tommy Griffin asked that the review be finished before the tourist season, which he said begins in March in Kerry.
Director of Services Paul Neary said March is too early, but the council plans to have something in place for the summer season.
