A NEW action group tasked with safeguarding and developing services and standards in the greater Killarney area, following the implementation of the controversial Local Government Reform Act 2014, has been endorsed at a public meeting in the town.
Fears for the future were expressed by several concerned business owners and community organisations at the meeting facilitated by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce in the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
The gathering of over 100 people heard that a number of issues have arisen that will give real cause for concern when the new legislation is introduced following the abolition of Killarney Town Council in a matter of weeks.
The Killarney region, including Castleisland, Rathmore and all surrounding districts, will soon be included in a new municipal area.
Chamber President, Johnny McGuire, said there is a widespread belief that Kerry County Council is planning to go much further than is asked or is necessary under the terms of the reform.
Of primary concern is the executive’s plan to centralise the vast majority of functions to Tralee and there are concerns that Killarney, Castleisland and Rathmore, and the surrounding districts, will suffer greatly as a result.
“We fear that employment opportunities will be reduced, services will be hugely compromised, rates will multiply and key decisions relating to the future of this area will be made elsewhere and completely outside of Killarney’s control,” said Mr McGuire.
“We have been in contact with the outgoing Kerry County Manager, Mr Tom Curran, and Killarney Town Manager, Mr John Breen, to voice our concerns and, at the risk of understatement, we remain to be convinced that an acceptable level of services will be maintained in this area,” he said.
Mr McGuire added: “We want to ensure that the greater Killarney area receives the support, services and involvement it deserves from the new-look Kerry County Council.”
The new Killarney Local Government Action Group – a sub-committee of the Chamber – comprises Patrick O’Donoghue, Michael Buckley, Michael O’Carroll, John O’Mahony, Conor Hennigan, Frank Lewis and Chamber President Johnny McGuire. The group has outlined eight key issues that need to be addressed:
Dedicated budget and executive: The Killarney Municipal District must have its own dedicated executive – including a finance officer – and its own dedicated budget. The area needs its own Local Government Development Committee to manage specific economic potentials and problems as they arise
Killarney Planning Office: The Killarney Municipal District needs its own planning office and planning officer to help areas and sectors to prepare their own plans
Retention of services: Services such as street cleaning, landscaping and associated works in Killarney must be maintained and enhanced to ensure the town remains to the forefront of the national Tidy Towns competition
Retention of the current level of rates: The current level of rates must be maintained and the current overall cost to ratepayers in the greater municipal area must not be increased
Resort marketing budget: Given the importance of tourism to the local economy, the local authority contribution to the resort marketing of the Killarney area must continue. The name ‘Killarney’ is a hugely powerful worldwide brand and this must be recognised and acted upon
Development levies retention: It is essential that accumulated development levies collected from Killarney businesses must be held for the greater Killarney area
Tourism Development Unit: The planned new Tourism Development and Built Infrastructure Unit has to be based in Killarney given its standing as the county’s tourism capital
Mayor of Killarney: The chairperson of the Killarney Municipal District should be deemed the Mayor of Killarney given the importance and the integrity associated with the office. The eight councillors elected for the area will be asked to fully commit to continuing the function of mayor at a wide range of important public engagements
