Fine Gael Cllr Michael Burke made a call this week for Mayo County Council to do all it can to help businesses such as café's and restaurants take advantage of space they may have outside their buildings to offer outdoor dining services.
The Ballinrobe-based councillor said that the council had been fantastic in getting grants out to businesses and facilitating people putting tables and chairs out - which made a big difference during the summer, but added: "As we are approaching a very different kind of weather, something more needs to be done and the council need to be seen to be lenient if people want to put up something a bit stronger than a cover to make it possible."
Acting chief executive of the council, Peter Duggan, said that the council will work with everyone to find a solution that will work for all. He added that they had done so before at the start of the outbreak and won't be found wanting on whatever else they can do, within reason.
