Carey visits Kilkee coastal sites and again presses for resolution to Kilkee diving boards and ladders situation
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has made further contact with Clare County Council regarding the removal of diving boards and ladders in Kilkee.
Last week, Deputy Carey criticised the Council for the removal of aquatic infrastructure which had been in place for generations. He has called the Council’s actions to date as a “comedy of errors”
Today he again reiterated his support for the restoration of the diving boards and ladders immediately. He also drew attention to a Facebook page which now has over 2000 members in support of the restoration.
On Saturday, Deputy Carey inspected the current condition of the partly restored boards and ladders. Photos of these are available here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=12965714&id=571745720#!/photo.php?pid=1208176&id=1503423551
Deputy Carey said:
“When this issue came to light, I made immediate contact with Clare County Council and also made public statements expressing my view that the boards and ladders should be restored for various reasons. I also asked that the IWSA review would be fast tracked. (These can take up to 6 weeks and I found the timing of this illogical). I received a reply from Ms. Nora Kaye, Kilkee Town Manager who committed to the review taking 2 weeks. I do not support the decision to remove the aquatic infrastructure and am asking for the restoration of the boards and ladders.”
“I have had further contact with the Council since Friday seeking clarification on the current position. Ms. Kaye informed me that the IWSA have completed their inspections and are presently putting their report together. The Council expect the report to be completed next week and will make a decision based on the recommendations contained within same. Ms. Kaye insisted that this decision will be made by the executive of Clare Co. Council, namely her as Kilkee Town Manager, the Water Safety Officer and the County Manager. I oppose the Council’s actions to date and believe more risks are now being encouraged, such as jumping off rocks etc by the Council’s decision to remove the diving boards.”
There is an unique association between Kilkee and water sports and these diving boards have been in situ for generations without incident. The timing of this is appalling, right at the start of the tourist season. I would hope common sense prevails. The approach to date has been a comedy of errors on the Council’s behalf and every day the boards are removed it’s hurting tourism in Kilkee and County Clare at our busiest time.”