Resistance to extending outdoor dining options in Mayo towns

An elected member of Mayo County Council is calling on the local authority to extend existing Covid-19 measures that allow for outdoor dining.

However, the council executive said they were consistent in telling businesses that the 'parklets' that facilitated outdoor dining had to go, and to change direction now would mean getting into a 'really murky area'.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly tabled a notice of motion to extend the Covid measures that were applied to outdoor dining spaces in the county for 2024 (including all exemptions), pending further informed discussion on a strategy for outdoor dining for the MD.

A written response from Ballina MD executive architect Robbie Maguire highlighted that the issue of ‘temporary parklets’ specifically is of 'mounting concern'.

The response highlighted: “Issues of public safety, availability of public parking in key areas and parklet upkeep have become more relevant.

“As Covid-19 has all but faded from our daily lives, the resurgence in activity and access to public areas has returned to match or even exceed pre-Covid levels, putting greater demand on the return of parking spaces, particularly for those in central urban locations.

“Other factors include public safety for road users and pedestrians, where parklets can impair vision of movement.”

Mr. Maguire's response concluded: “Section 254 remains to authorise the proper licencing of street furniture on public footpaths and we continue to approve these where conditions can be met in the interest of all in a safe and enjoyable environment.”

At the meeting, Councillor Munnelly said that to the best of his knowledge, businesses in other parts of the county, such as Westport, weren't asked to remove the parklets.

He added that what he was proposing was maintaining the status quo for those businesses in Ballina who still have the parklets and enter into discussions with them, eventually adjusting the local bylaws if necessary.

“It seems Ballina is out of step with the rest of the county and we do not know why that is,” Councillor Munnelly said.

While he was commended by colleagues for tabling the motion and backed in his request to maintain the status quo until dialogue can be entered into, the head of Ballina MD, Declan Turnbull, said a number of issues arise, as highlighted by Mr. Maguire, and in the short term the parklets should be removed.

Mr. Turnbull confirmed that businesses were informed last year of the necessity to have the installations removed and in February of this year they were issued with formal letters.

He added that some business people have already removed the parklets and to allow others leeway now would mean getting into a really murky area.

Councillor Munnelly reiterated that his proposal was for a period of grace to allow for dialogue, after which they could decide if the bylaws need to be amended.

Mr. Turnbull conceded that if the bylaws are changed, the parklets can be considered again.

However, he concluded: “We need to be consistent. We were consistent in telling people they (temporary parklets) have to go. I understand the points raised but I'm reluctant to go down that road. We ask people to comply with their letters.”