Kerry County Council voted unanimously to pass by-laws supporting the growth of sauna businesses on the county’s blue flag beaches. The proposed regulations were welcomed, and most public submissions supported regularising the laws. Council members urged extending the by-laws beyond the listed beaches to cover additional areas across the county. The changes were framed as enabling a popular amenity and supporting health and wellbeing benefits, including recovery use by GAA athletes. Public input also requested adding Bunavalla Pier near Caherdaniel, with the aim of making it a blue flag beach. Some submissions raised concerns about effects on existing businesses and about parking space occupation.
"Kerry councillors unanimously voted to pass laws supporting the growth of sauna businesses on the county's blue flag beaches. While the new by-laws were welcomed by elected members, they urged Kerry County Council (KCC) to extend the regulations beyond only those beaches listed. At a recent council meeting, KCC proposed to introduce by-laws to regulate and control the provision of sauna services in the county. The amendments had been out for public consultation and had received a variety of public submissions, most in support of the regularisation of the laws."
"Councillor Deirdre Ferris welcomed the proposal, adding KCC should look at extending the laws to all of the county's beaches in due course. "It's lovely to have the facilitation of something that is exceptionally popular," she said. "We cannot allow ourselves to be limited to blue flag beaches. There are lots of areas that could benefit from these additional amenities...they are opportunities for us to develop this even further.""
"Councillor Tommy Cahill welcomed the changes, highlighting the growing recognition of the health and wellbeing benefits of sauna. He highlighted that saunas were being used by all members of the community, including GAA athletes who utilised them for recovery. He said existing amenities had already been a great addition to the county's urban and rural areas, and also asked for the by-laws to be extended to all the county's beaches."
"Councillor Norma Moriarty pointed to a response from the public consultation requesting that Bunavalla Pier near Caherdaniel be added to the laws. She said the nearby beach was popular with swimmers, hosting lessons every year. Cllr Moriarty said the intention should be to make it a blue flag beach and asked for consideration to be given to the submission. Concerns raised in public submissions included the potential impact on existing businesses, including Collins Seaweed Baths in Ballybunion, and potential occupation of parking spaces."
Read at Irish Independent
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