There are no plans to establish a public toilet in Dungarvan, as there are simply no funding provisions in place.
That was the stance of Waterford Council's Kieran Kehoe when quizzed on the issue at the November Dungarvan / Lismore District meeting.
The matter came to light when Independent Councillor Seamus O'Donnell stated that he believes there should be no public swimming pool in the town until there are public toilets.
Cllr. O'Donnell moved to clarify his feelings toward any potential public swimming pool:
“I was annoyed at the last meeting because I thought that public toilets should be coming in before any swimming pool. With the past five years, I’m raising about this public toilet in Dungarvan. I’d like to get the results before any swimming pool, but I must make it clear - I’ve no problem with the swimming pool coming in.”
The Independent Councillor said he has been calling for a public toilet in the town 'with years'.
"We’re living in a different world now so why not have a public toilet in Dungarvan? We had toilets there and they were done away with.”
A superloo on the Quay in Dungarvan was dismembered in 2012, with the Council claiming that for every flush of the toilet - that cost 50c to use, it cost the local authority €9.
'Substantial cost'
Speaking in response to Cllr. O'Donnell, Mr. Kehoe said there is no funding for any toilet, and these facilities are 'best done' through the local hospitality sector.
“I hate sounding like a scratched record or whatever, but there’s no funding provision for public toilets in Dungarvan. They would have a substantial cost, require substantial maintenance, provision cost, a substantial maintenance cost, and I must say, that a lot of authorities across the country, take the stance that the provision of public facilities like that are best done through hospitality services.”
He argued that while Dungarvan is an anomaly in not having a public toilet in the town, the lack of one encourages patrons in the locality to enter local hotels, restaurants and cafes.
“This isn’t just a phenomenon locally here. Obviously, Covid created an issue for a period but we’re heading out of that, and as the hospitality sector is fully open again - we should be encouraging as much footfall into their premises as possible.”
'If I had a business, it would be for a business'
Fine Gael Councillor Declan Doocey took issue with the stance of the Council on the public toilet. He says business owners are running businesses to provide for their families, not to provide a toilet service for tourists and locals alike.
“If I had a business, it wouldn’t be for the public to use my toilets that I’d have it. It’d be to make an income for myself and my family, if I had such a business. That would be a lame excuse in my book now. Every town in Ireland - they have public facilities. Why shouldn’t a town the size of Dungarvan, which is going so successful now? It’s unbelievable. The number of people that go through Dungarvan.”
'If you have to go, you have to go'
Cllr. Doocey pointed out that there is a public toilet in Lismore, that simply couldn't be done without. He says any fears of the costs for a public toilet in Dungarvan could be recouped by putting a meter on the door. He also noted that there are people in poor health, some of whom may have bladder conditions.
“The new swimming pool will have toilets as well. That would be an advantage, you couldn’t have the swimming pool without the toilets. Some people have bad health, I read an article recently, how many people have Crohn’s and bladder problems and you name it. 1 in 100 might only use it or need it, but if you have to go, you have to go. People are in bad health. I’d appeal, don’t be trying to say about funding - it’s only going to cost money from the day it’s built. The maintenance could be financed by a euro on the door or a metre to get in or a credit card for instance. We can’t do without it.”
Cllr. O'Donnell again spoke in agreement with Cllr. Doocey as he runs a pub in Old Parish. Cllr. O'Donnell said he has no issue with anyone coming in to use a toilet, but publicans have concerns regarding insurance.
