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WITHOUT: The outdoor dining area without furniture. Photo: Sean Moriarty

By Sean Moriarty

The Fáilte Ireland Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Scheme, costing €604,505, partially opened last October.

Local businesses were invited to apply for licences to serve food and drinks in the dining areas.

Exactly half the outdoor seating remains open to the public between 8.30am and 10.30pm every day and consumers are free to buy products in other premises around the town.

However, it is unclear who is responsible for putting out tables and chairs each morning and stacking them each evening.

Cllr Marie Moloney raised the issue at Wednesday’s Killarney Municipal District meeting.

"Now that the Kenmare Place outdoor dining realm is operational for several months, can we have an update on the running of same? Are there any problems with the storage of the street furniture at night time?” she asked.

Several councillors called for clarity on the matter after being told at a previous meeting that the placing and removal of tables and chairs is the responsibility of Council staff.

Issues included personal security risks to Council staff while removing seating at night time when the seats could be occupied.

A counter concern was raised as businesses were benefiting from the dining area but were expecting Council staff to do the leg work on their behalf.

Council officials said they are monitoring the situation especially as this is a new facility for the benefit of the town for all concerned.

“It is a brand new facility, it sets very high standards,” Angela McAllen the Killarney Municipal District Manager told the meeting. “We will review it in 12 months.”

Cllr Brendan Cronin offered a compromise.

“It is an increased business opportunity [for nearby hospitality providers],” he said. “If the Council put tables and chairs out early in the morning why can't the businesses take them in at night?”