By Sean Moriarty

Traders in Kenmare Place are committed to the future success of the outdoor dining scheme.

Tracy Coyne of the International Hotel has called for patience as early “hiccups are ironed out” ahead of “what will be an awesome community project”.

She was reacting to comments made at last week’s Killarney Municipal District meeting where several elected councillors questioned who was responsible for the management of the outdoor seating of the Fáilte Ireland Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Scheme, which is operational since late last year.

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.

A row broke out in the Council chamber after politicians questioned who was responsible for laying out tables and chairs each morning and securing the furniture each night.

“We are all committed to making this a success,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

“This will be a fantastic community amenity. We are in weekly contact with the Council [executive] and issues like heating and lighting are being addressed as we find them. Now is the time to iron out any wrinkles as they arise while we are still in the shoulder season and before the summer season really kicks off. Everybody needs to keep their eye on the prize, which is the delivery of an amazing community amenity for locals and visitors to enjoy during the summer sunshine.”

Staff from the International Hotel and other nearby businesses are managing the seating arrangements every day.

“This time of the year there is no point in putting out one hundred chairs while the weather is still so inclement. Perhaps the councillors were concerned that it is not fully operational just yet,” she added, “But we will stay level-headed knowing that."

Ms Coyne praised the success of the new scheme which has only been used in the winter months so far.

Students from town centre secondary schools are frequent users of the facility during their lunch hour.

“I had a group of seven or eight St Brendan’s students here the other day, I don’t know where they bought their food but they sat in our allocated section,” she added. “They cleaned up after themselves and left it as pristine as they found it. I'm sure Sean Coffey [Principal] would be very proud to see the way they conducted themselves. These are our future customers, and indeed some of them are our current staff so we are very happy to see them.”