Kilkenny councillor calls out 'cheap rubbish' on display in the city

Independent councillor, Eugene McGuinness bemoaned 'some of the cheap rubbish coming into Kilkenny' as last month's Municipal District meeting gave enraged councillors the opportunity to voice their disapproval of plastic sign fronts.

Mr McGuinness' comments follow the passing of a motion put forward by Labour councillor, Sean Ó hArgáin, who called on Kilkenny County Council to enforce its policy on ‘traditional shopfronts’ at last month's meeting of the Kilkenny Municipal District.

"We need to clearly state that plastic and corriboard signage will no longer be acceptable and that tacky, plastic decal, stick-on signage should be removed," Mr Ó hArgáin said, his frustration echoed by fellow councillors.

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For the past number of years, Kilkenny County Council, has a publicly available guide to their signage policy. However, a number of high profile businesses have failed to take this into account before sign installation.

"If you want Vegas, buy a ticket," Cllr McGuinness commented, adding, there should be a colour pallet in place for shops, designed by experts.

Green Party representative, Maria Dollard, said: "What’s at stake here is the standard of our city.

"I don’t think it’s unreasonable that they (shop owners) need planning for signage," she commented. "There has to be sanctions to stamp it out."

Fianna Fáil’s, Cllr Joe Malone described the increase in plastic shopfronts as 'disgraceful', stating, "the eye has been taken off the ball."

Meanwhile, party colleague, Cllr John Coonan expressed fears that distasteful signage could 'distract' from the city’s offering.

Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, Tim Butler, took 'full responsibility' for the council’s downfalls in the area, on behalf of the local authority.

Mr Butler committed to a 'pro-active approach' to 'stop it before it happens' and that there will be greater implementation of the shop