02/02/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That the Killarney Urban District Council “Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Substances in Public Places Bye-Laws 2000” be enforced. There is a problem with under-age drinking. The Gardaí are working hard but unfortunately it isn’t successful to date as older people are purchasing the alcohol for the under-aged
Reply: Killarney Municipal District have discussed with An Garda Síochána and enforcement in relation to underage drinking and drunkenness is a matter for the Gardaí.
02/02/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District would write to the HSE or relevant authority questioning why the taxpayer rather than developer must pay the costs for remedial works at Deer Lodge Mental Health Unit after it was found to have radon levels greater than recommended amount
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
28/03/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Kerry County Council would put an injection of monies into the Killarney Waste Water Treatment Plant as I understand that it is in need of upgrading.
Reply: Irish Water has full ownership and control of the Killarney Waste Water Treatment Plant. Kerry County Council is merely a ‘Water Services’ agent for the national utility. The plant, which is operated and maintained to the highest standards, is designed for a population equivalent (P.E.) of 54,000 and is working well within its capacity. In 2017 the average loading was 29,068 P.E., with a peak of 44,711 P.E. The discharges from the WWTP to the Folly Stream, at a point approximately 1km from Lough Leane, are licensed and regulated by the EPA. The license stipulates the discharge limits for the various parameters for wastewater and there have been no breaches in the discharge limits at the Killarney WWTP. In 2017 and to date this year a total of €275,000 has been spent on various ‘capital replacement maintenance’ improvements at the WWTP. A €155,000 contract to further increase the capacity and improve the efficiency of the plant, and thus reduce energy costs, was commenced in February. Irish Water is currently planning to similarly improve the efficiency of the remaining aeration tanks at the WWTP and it is anticipated this work will commence later this year. Irish Water, in co-operation with Kerry County Council, is also proceeding with the preparation of the Killarney Drainage Area Plan, which is an assessment of the existing sewer networks. Tender Documents to appoint Consultants, prepared by Kerry County Council in 2017, are to be issued by Irish Water in the coming weeks.
28/03/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we take seriously the dog fouling which is occurring in Killarney. I am requesting a full time Litter Warden as the warden which has been provided is part-time only. Dog fouling is increasing and is a serious issue.
Reply: Kerry County Council has 3 full time Litter Wardens who work across the 4 Municipal District areas. In addition, they are supported by 7 Traffic Wardens who also have responsibility for enforcing any breaches of the Litter Legislation in the town. Ongoing dog foul awareness campaigns have been carried out by Kerry County Council in the last number of years. This is a very problematic area to enforce. Dog owners need to take responsibility for their animals. It is planned to target a number of routes in the Killarney area in the coming weeks.
28/03/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: The road infrastructure in East Kerry is severely damaged due to the development of Wind Farms. I request that an update be provided to us regarding the monies we have received from these companies for repairing of these roads.
Reply: Kerry County Council has funding from Road Opening Licence Fees, Development Levies and retained Bonds to the value of €1,678,720 which was received from the various Windfarms in the East Kerry. This funding will be used to carry out Road & Trench Restoration for an approximate distance of 28km. A report detailing the locations will be distributed at the meeting.
28/03/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That a review of Ballinadiga Cross in Rathmore be carried out as there is a blind spot approaching onto the main Mallow to Killarney Road (N72).
Reply: Kerry County Council have inspected the junction of the L3013 & N72 known as Ballinadiga Cross. There is currently a clear line of sight of approximately 220m on the Rathmore side and 190m on the Barraduff. This line of sight in dependent on hedges and grass verge being cut, which Kerry County Council will carry out as part of its hedge cutting programme.
16/04/2018-Full Council
Motion: Kerry County Council calls on the Minister for Health Deputy Simon Harris to request the HSE to review the decision to restrict the use of Versatis pain relief patches to patients in chronic pain outside those experiencing post herpatic neuralgia, and to revert to the Pre December status while this review is bring undertaken.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
01/05/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we would write to the relevant authority requesting that traffic lights would be provided at exit from the Fire Station onto the By-Pass Road as there are delays during the summer period exiting same.
Reply: Kerry County Council will refer this request onto the TII for consideration.
01/05/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That traffic calming measures be put in place at St. Mary’s Terrace, Killarney.
Reply: Kerry County Council will carry out a speed survey at this location in order to determine if there is a requirement for traffic calming measures. I t is proposed to carry out the survey by the end of May.
01/05/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District would write to the appropriate Minister regarding the rounding up of prices as they are falsely advertised, e.g. something for €9.99 should be advertised for €10.00.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
01/05/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we request a safety line be placed on the footpath at all ATMs in Killarney, for the users’ safety and security. If passed that it would be referred to all other Local Authorities in the country.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
18/06/2018-Full Council
Motion: That we would request our Planners to include the provision of a Public Toilet in all Retail Units over 200sqm as a condition of Planning.
Reply: The provision of public toilet facilities in small retail units is a matter for consideration by the owner operators of these facilities. There is no provision in the planning guidelines or under the planning code to insist on the provision of public toilet facilities in individual shop units. The economic viability of retail units of this size is a consideration in relation to the provision of additional public facilities.
20/06/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: Over five years ago a survey was carried on out on behalf of Killarney Town Council which indicated that 13% of houses in Killarney were unable to account for disposing of their domestic refuse. I have no doubt that this figure has soared since then. I am proposing that we re-visit this immediately and take the appropriate action. Dumping can be seen in every by-road in our MD area at present.
Reply: The survey referred to in this motion was carried out by Killarney Town Council in its role as landlord of its social housing stock. Revised waste presentation Bye Laws were considered by the members at last Monday’s June Council Meeting. These will now be going out on public consultation for a period of three months and will be brought back before the members for formal adoption before the end of the year. There is provision in the Bye Laws to request householders to provide information regarding how they dispose of their waste, such powers are currently not available to the Council. There would also be resource implications to having a survey as suggested carried out.
20/06/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That Killarney Municipal District would provide half the Pretty Polly Site for the provision of social housing.
Reply: Kerry County Council is inviting Expressions of Interest for the development of the Sara Lee Facility (former Pretty Polly Factory). All options for the development of the site, which are in accordance with the Land Use Zoning, will be considered.
20/06/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District would amend our Bye-Laws to ban deliveries in Killarney Town after 11.00am and make these loading bays parking spaces thereafter (with the exception of New Street Car Park). Also that an investigation would be carried out to identify if this was already included in Killarney Town Council Bye-Laws as it is my understanding that this was already approved by Killarney Town Council in the past.
Reply: There are currently 2 loading bays on High Street which revert to pay and display after 12 o clock. All other loading bays are loading bays all day. All loading bays will be looked at as part of the parking strategy.
20/06/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we would write to the relevant Minister requesting that any person seeking asylum, who is convicted of a criminal offence, would be deported to his / her own country.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
16/07/2018/ 17/09/2018/ 15/10/2018- Full Council
Motion: I am calling on Kerry County Council to put the system that which will get rid of all burst water pipes across Municipal District areas like Firies and Barleymount just to mention a few. This should be looked at across the County urgently as people are finding themselves without water on a regular basis.
Reply: Funding for all public water mains in Kerry is the responsibility of Irish Water. Kerry County Council has been proactive in working with Irish Water to secure over €15m in funding for replacement water mains in the County since 2014, a significant portion of which has been allocated to the Mid-Kerry Water Supply Network, which includes Firies and Barleymount. The majority of these water mains have been replaced by our own direct labour crews. Kerry County Council continues to work with Irish Water to identify deficient water mains in need of replacement in the County and in securing the necessary funding for their replacement. The pilot Find and Fix Project, specifically set up by Irish Water to find and fix leaks in the water mains throughout Kerry, commenced in January 2018. To date 146 leaks have been identified, 108 have been fixed and a total of 3000M3 per day of water have been ‘saved’. This represents 50% of the overall target for the two year pilot programme.
07/11/2018- Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District Council should be promoting that we provide a refuse service for Killarney Town as we are providing a great service and good value for money.
Reply: In 2018 the Municipal District placed additional signage advertising our refuse service on both sides of the refuse truck. The Municipal District will look at its 2019 advertising in relation to the service.
07/11/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District Council should write to the Chief Superintendent requesting when the “lights are on flashing” at Woodlawn Cross and the top of Ross Road, there would be a Garda presence to direct traffic as the people of Woodlawn Cross and Ross Road are prisoners in their own homes.
Reply: At the agreement of the members the Municipal District will issue a letter to An Garda Síochána.
07/11/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District Council examine the licences being issued for Casual Trading at Market Cross to ensure that the person that is being issued the licence is the person actually operating the stall.
Reply: As part of the conditions for the 2019 licences we will ask for a photograph of the person to whom the licence is issued, and this will be displayed on the licence. The 1995 Casual Trading Act, includes servants or agents of the licence holder within the rights granted by casual trading licence. A review of the provisions of the Casual Trading Act 1995 is currently being undertaken by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Kerry County Council is currently preparing a submission in respect of this.
07/11/2018-Killareny MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District should introduce roundabouts at the top of High Street and the top of New Road to allow better access for the public.
Reply: The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets is the current policy document for the design of roads and streets in towns and villages. This policy document prioritises vulnerable users within the town centre roads. In regard to roundabouts the document outlines as follows; ‘Large roundabouts are generally not appropriate in urban areas. They require a greater land take and are difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate’. In fact the document recommends that if possible roundabouts should be replaced with signalised junctions where possible; ‘Where large roundabouts currently exist, road authorities are encouraged, as part of any major upgrade works, to replace them with signalised junctions or retrofit them so that are more compact and/or pedestrian and cycle friendly’ Therefore Kerry County Council considers that in line with current national policy the provision of a roundabout at this location is not appropriate.
17/12/2018-Killarney MD
Motion: That we the members can no longer accept the Ambulance Service that we are getting from the HSE, excluding Ambulance staff. That we email our 5 TD’s requesting they meet with the Minister for Health to relay to him our disgraceful Ambulance Service in Kerry.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the members.