Lake laws allow sale of services but not goods

It is permissible to sell services on the shore of local lakes – but not to sell goods, director of services, Deirdre Reilly, told members of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Ms Reilly’s comment came as members of the committee discussed a motion from Sinn Féin councillor, David Jones, proposing that the district review the lakeshore bylaws to allow for the provision of sauna and hot tub facilities at lakeshores .

Cllr Jones said that as well as being a great tourist attraction, facilities such as those can help users with mental health and fitness.

“The Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad intend to review the lakeshore bye laws in 2025,” the formal response to Cllr Jones’s motion stated.

Confirming that he had huge respect for the Lakeshore by-laws, Cllr Jones added that it was clear why they are in place, given what had been witnessed last summer in terms of the mess made at lakeshores across the county. He felt, however, that the council should meet in private to review the by-laws.

Support came from Cllr Emily Wallace and Cllr Alfie Devine, who said he had recently made representations regarding a provider interested in providing facilities on lands outside the council’s ownership at Lough Lene.

Ms Reilly said the council does intend reviewing the by-laws. She said that under Just Transition a number of projects had been decided on for the lake shores on a case-by-case basis.

However, she said, the council would not be in favour of people erecting any permanent structures. What was acceptable were mobile units such as horse boxes.