Retiring jarveys should be allowed to transfer their operating licence to family members, Cllrs Maura Healy Rae has stated.

Under current bylaws state that: “in the event that an existing licence holder should cease to hold his or her licence, then it shall automatically revert to the Council.”

At a recent meeting of Killarney Municipal District Cllr Healy Rae said: “ Kerry County Council [should] take into consideration the family tradition of Jarveys in the Killarney Area and to allow the transfer of a jarvey license from one generation to the next, from one family member to another when a person retires or dies.”

She also asked if there is a waiting list for jarvey licence application.

A council official replied: “Bye-Laws regulating the operation of Horse Drawn Hackney Carriages 2010 [state] in the event that an existing licence holder should cease to hold his or her licence, then it shall automatically revert to the Council and where the number of applications for a licence exceeds the number of licences determined by the Council the allocation of licences shall be determined by lot .”

“Kerry County Council is not permitted to operate waiting lists for the issuance of Jarvey licences. “

The official added: “A review of the 2010 Bye-Laws is currently underway by Killarney Municipal District, Kerry County Council must comply with European Union competition regulations and legislation in regard to the issuing of licences.”

The updating of Killarney bylaws, which effect everything from parking to jarvey licencing has been ongoing for years and has been a contentious issue within the Council chamber during the life time of the current elected assembly.

“This review is going on a long time,” added Healy Rae.

“this is a serious issue affecting many Jarveys who have been in contact with me and to date the review hasn’t taken place, if re-elected on June 7 I promises the Jarveys that I will continue to follow up on this issue with Kerry County Council.