Why spending a penny is getting harder

A CASH-strapped local authority has closed some public toilets in a cost-cutting measure.

People caught short in two coastal villages in west Cork will have to suffer, quietly, for the next few weeks, because of the measures.

County council officials have decided it’s simply too expensive to pay overtime to employees to look after the toilets during the off-peak tourism season.

The decision to close the toilets at Timoleague and Courtmacsherry annoyed a number of public representatives, especially Cllr Donal O’Rourke.

The Fianna Fáil councillor told council officials yesterday that he had received a number of complaints from people about the closures.

“There’s a very popular walkway from Timoleague to Courtmacsherry. Let’s at least create some kind of opening times during the winter,” he said.

Cllr Dermot Sheehan (FG) reckoned he had a novel way to solve the problem. In the absence of a public toilet, people in need normally legged it to the nearest pub to find some relief, he said.

Publicans, Mr Sheehan maintained, were an obliging lot, but it was costing them money to accommodate those in need because of new water-in, water-out charges.

“It’s frustrating for these publicans when a tour bus rolls up and many using the toilets don’t spend a penny. The publicans should get a reduction in their water bills,” Mr Sheehan said.

Cllr Danny Crowley (FF) said it simply wasn’t good enough to close a public convenience.

Cllr John O’Shea (FG) said closures could create a public health issue.

“There’s a huge investment programme in west Cork to extend the tourism season. I think this is a retrograde step,” said Cllr Pat Murphy (FF).

Council officials pointed out they were saving thousands of euro by closing some toilets in the west Cork region, which would reopen at Easter.