Kilkee safety audit due this week

AN Irish Water Safety Association (IWSA) safety audit is expected to take place before the end of this week at Newfoundout, West End in Kilkee, where two diving boards and two ladders were removed at the Pollock Holes last week by Clare County Council.
A further three ladders were removed from three separate locations; Burns Cove, Edmonds Point and Georges Head. The decision, which was taken by Kilkee town manager Nora Kaye, was revealed at last Monday week’s meeting of Kilkee Town Council under ‘Any Other Business’. The decision was met with impassioned opposition in Kilkee.
The decision was made on health and safety and insurance grounds but the diving boards and ladders were hastily put back in place late last week, when the IWSA told Clare County Council that it would be impossible to conduct a health and safety audit if the boards and ladders were not re-installed.
In a statement issued late last week, Nora Kaye said that the decision to remove the boards was made by her.
“The decision to remove the diving boards was made by me following concerns that a health and safety assessment had not been completed. The water safety officer, Liam Griffin, was then contacted and he immediately arranged for an assessment to be carried out by a qualified and independent assessor. He has confirmed that the assessment will be prioritised and it is expected that the assessment and the report will be with the council within two weeks. Upon receipt of the report, the findings and recommendations will be immediately examined by the council,” the Kilkee and Kilrush town manager explained, adding that there was some insurance concerns as well.
Meanwhile, Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has urged the IWSA to carry out their audit as soon as possible.
“I would urge the local authority and the IWSA to work closely together and fast-track this risk assessment so that the diving boards can be reinstalled full time in Kilkee as soon as possible,” he said.
“Kilkee is a hotspot for divers and Jacques Cousteau once described the area as one of best diving spots in Europe and the installation of these boards has played an important role in enhancing Kilkee’s reputation as a top class diving destination,” Deputy Breen added.