Clare County Council's plan to introduce year-round paid parking in tourist hotspots has been described as “just too much”. 

Every year, tourists from around the world flock to Kilkee, Lahinch, Doolin and Spanish Point and soon it could cost them a little bit more if they arrive by car.

Under the proposal, a two hour stay in a busy part of town would cost a driver €2, locals could pay €50 for an annual permit and businesses could be charged €200.

Cliodhna Fawl from the Lahinch Surf Shop said she is strongly opposed to the proposal.

“I think it’s detrimental to the village, to the businesses and the locals and everything,” she told Lunchtime Live.

“It’s just too much.”

Liscannor Bay, Lahinch, Co Clare, Ireland; People At The Beach.

Ms Fawl said she was concerned about impact of the charges on local businesses and feels it would be “really not fair” to make people pay for something they currently get for free.

“I work in the village, so [I will be charged and] that’s going to be a cost on top of whatever you earn,” she said.

“Then bringing the kids to school, that impacts me because it will be the Milltown Road car park.”

Revenue

The council have yet to say why they think the charges are need but Cllr Liam Grant of the Green Party suspects it is because the “cost of everything is going up for them”.

“I think they would say it’s to support the cost of the lifeguards, the public toilets, the litter picking and all that,” he said.

Whatever the rationale, Cllr Grant said he is opposed to the charges.

“There is already some paid parking in Lahinch on the promenade - and I’m okay with that - but I don’t want to see it brought in anywhere else,” he said.

“I think there’s enough money there from the parking to pay for those services.”

You can listen back here:

Main image: A busy beach in Lahinch, Clare. Picture by: Peter Zoeller/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire.