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North critical of data sharing

Northern Ireland politicians have criticised the Irish Government for failing to share information on travellers arriving on the island during the pandemic. arlenefoster0620

First Minister Arlene Foster said repeated attempts by the Executive to access data on passenger locator forms filled out by people arriving into the Republic had proved unsuccessful.

Her comments came after the Stormont Executive agreed new restrictions on international travel into the North that will require arriving passengers to produce a negative Covid-19 test undertaken within 72 hours of departure for the region.

Decisions to introduce similar measures have already been taken in the Republic as well as in England and Scotland.

Kilkenny plans Spring welcome

Kilkenny Tourism is leading the way to re-open tourism this Spring. The tourism organisation for the county is planning to highlight the range of outdoor attractions and activities. Kilkenny0819

After a year beset with hospitality closures, Kilkenny Tourism is looking forward to a level of continuity in the sector and an opportunity to meet with visitors’ new expectations for outdoor, wellness and activity-based holidays and breaks.

Commenting on the planned re-opening of tourism in the county, Chairperson of Kilkenny Tourism, Ciaran Conroy said; “It has been an unprecedented year for the hospitality sector and at every corner our hotels, attractions and restaurants were met with challenges and closures. The pandemic has brought about a change to visitors’ expectations and motivations for travelling and this year, Kilkenny is preparing to meet those changes in attitudes by offering a full ‘outdoor-focussed’ experience to all our visitors in 2021.

Court challenges to Kerry Greenway

Two High Court challenges have been commenced against a proposed cycling and pedestrian greenway in Co Kerry. greenwaykerry

The actions relate to the proposed 32-kilometre South Kerry Greenway, between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, which will run mainly along the former disused Southern and Western Railway which operated from 1892 to 1960.

In the first action local farmer James Clifford and environmental activist Peter Sweetman are seeking permission to challenge An Bord Pleanála's decision of 10 November last to approve Kerry County Council's application for the greenway, which includes a three metre wide paved surface.

Represented in the action by Margaret Heavey Bl, instructed by solicitor Brian Harrington, the applicants claim the board's decision is invalid because it contravenes various EU directives on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Habitats.

The applicants claim the board decision is invalid on grounds including that it failed to take required steps to establish a system of strict protection for the Kerry slug and the Lesser Horseshoe bat in their natural range.

Hostelworld in debt talks

Online booking platform Hostelworld is in negotiations with a short-list of lenders in relation to a new €30m debt facility.

The Dublin-listed company finished 2020 with net cash of €18.2m, according to a trading update from the group.

Cash liabilities due in the first half of this year are expected to be in the range of €6.5m - €7m. In the last three months of 2020 the company had an operating cash outflow of €1.7m, which it said remains in line with expectations.

The Dublin-listed group said that while the news around a Covid-19 vaccine is “welcomed”, the timing of the recovery remains “uncertain.”

Extra funding for Tidy Towns

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced funding of €1 million to help Tidy Towns groups across the country prepare for next year’s tidytowns

competition.

The allocation will provide up to €1,000 for every eligible group. The funding is in addition to the €1.4 million allocated to these groups at the end of last year.

The department said Tidy Towns groups have continued to keep their communities in excellent condition, despite the cancellation of the formal competition this year due to the pandemic.