MONAGHAN OUTDOOR DINING CHARGES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED SAYS COUNCILLOR MAXWELL

A call has been made by Fine Gael local public representative David Maxwell for the charges imposed by the local authority on hospitality premises in Monaghan Town for outdoor dining to be scrapped. Members of the Carrickmacross- Castleblayney Municipal District took the decision last week to introduce measures to facilitate greater outdoor dining in their towns and Councillor Maxwell called on Monaghan Municipal District at their meeting on Monday to follow suit. Towards the meeting’s conclusion, Councillor Maxwell made reference to a charge of €4,600 which the Municipal District at a recent in committee meeting voted to impose on town centre premises the Westenra Arms Hotel in relation to outdoor dining.

“I voted against it and thought it was wrong,” Councillor Maxwell stated. Replying to Councillor Maxwell, Municipal District Director Patricia Monahan confirmed that this invoice had been issued. Co-ordinator Donal McElwain explained that the charge derived from the bye-laws relating to the removal of car-parking spaces and the use of space. Councillor Maxwell said that the initial figure being considered was over €10,000. Ms Monahan noted that nationally the charges for tables and chairs had been waived by the Government.

Councillor Maxwell said that other local authorities had done away with such charges, and referenced a motion passed the previous week by the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District. “No one is going to pay this level of charges,” he contended. The Municipal District Director pointed out that this decision was reached by the members after a discussion. Independent councillor Seamus Treanor said this matter had already…