Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council


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Seafront Policy Statement

Archive Statements > 2015

Statement Regarding Seafront Policy
March 2015


I wish to re-iterate my comments at the recent Council meeting regarding the use of the seafront by private commercial interests during the Summer and St. Patrick’s week.

Many members of the community in Bray are opposed to excessive commercial use of the public open space along the seafront for long periods of time and I agree fully with their concerns. However, we understand the requirement for a reasonably limited time for carnivals and funfairs to operate on the seafront and councillors agreed to this requirement.


However, I also asked for but did not receive full information on what financial contribution these commercial interests are making for the use of this valuable public amenity. In fact, I was told by the Council that this information is “commercially sensitive”.

I reject this refusal to provide information on the income derived from a public asset and I will be seeking this and additional information from the Council at the next meeting. I believe the people are entitled to know exactly what are the financial and commercial arrangements which trade on the provision of almost the entire green area of Bray seafront for lengthy periods of time.

Joe Behan
Independent


Serving the people of County Wicklow since 1985 | joebehan@outlook.ie

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