Rules that would restrict or ban dogs from blue flag beaches in Co Kerry this summer were supported by a majority of councillors, after management put forward the notion of 'safe corridors' or 'through-ways' at the rear of the protected areas.
Dogs on leads may pass through these narrow, signed areas to surrounding non blue flag areas, according to a presentation at the monthly council meeting.
However, a number of councillors questioned the practicality of the solution, given the tidal nature of beaches.
The restrictions on Kerry's fourteen blue flag beaches, to comply with international guidelines on the annual blue flag bathing award, do not allow dogs or horses on blue flag areas between the hours of 11am and 7pm from 1 June to 15 September.
The initial proposal in March was met with strong reaction, as some councillors and the public believed it was a ban on dog walking and would apply to all beaches, the meeting heard.
But Director of Services with Kerry County Council, John Breen, said today that blue flag beaches made up only 2% of the Kerry coastline and dogs were "not being banned".
He said blue flag beaches amounted to defined portions of larger areas, and that dogs could access the non-protected parts of the beach providing they were on a lead on these 'through-ways'.
However, some councillors questioned the practicality of the corridors.
The vast majority of the 51 submissions from the public on the bye laws were strongly opposed to the restrictions, but a small number agreed with the ban on the blue flag part of the beach and said it should be extended all year round.
Greater enforcement of breaches of dog fouling laws was also called for.
