Almost 10 months after an oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála and there is still no decision on whether or not the vital project for South Kerry can go ahead.
he delay in a final decision by An Bord Pleanála is causing distress in the local community as the project has effectively stalled until a decision is made on the future of the project.
An Bord Pleanála are tasked with deciding on whether or not to grant planning to Kerry County Council for the project and also whether or not to allow the local authority to proceed with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) the land required for the project.
A four week oral hearing last year heard from all sides involved in the proposed 32km project. Since then several dates have been mooted for a decision but no official announcement has been made.
Cllr Michael Cahill this week called for a decision to be made.
"The people of South Kerry deserve to be treated with respect and not be left hanging on through postponed announcement after postponed announcement.
"I understand that we had a change of Government and the interruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this announcement is long past due. The future plans of the majority of businesses in South Kerry depend on whether or not this project gets the go-ahead. All stakeholders await the decision which will have such a major bearing on the livelihoods of generations to come and it should be delayed no longer," he said.
His calls have been backed up by the Cahersiveen Community and Business Alliances. Its chairperson Jack Fitzpatrick said he has contacted An Bord Pleanála several times to be informed a decision is due shortly.
"We need a decision now. This has been going on far too long... We keep getting the same answer 'it won't be too much longer'."
An Bord Plenála said a decision will be made in the 'near future'.
