The tabling of controversial Section 140 planning motions at Kerry County Council meetings seems set to continue as the newly-elected council begins its term of office.
Two motions seeking to force through permission for one-off houses have been submitted to the council for this month's meeting.
The two Section 140 motions have been signed by Independent Fianna Fail councillor Mr Danny Healy-Rae, Fianna Fail councillor Mr Tom Fleming, Independent councillor Mr Brendan Cronin and Fine Gael councillor Mr Tom Sheahan.
Section 140s need a three-quarters majority, and to be signed by three or more councillors.
Mr Healy-Rae yesterday defended his support for Section 140s, saying every house in Kerry had a visual impact "unless people wanted to live underground in caves".
He said many of those critical of Section 140 motions lived in very scenic areas themselves.
Councillors in the last council used their Section 140 powers to give the go-ahead for one-off housing in scenic areas. It resulted in a stand-off between planners, officials and council members.
Up to a third of planners have left their jobs in Kerry in the past 12 months, and this has been attributed in part to the pressure they are coming under from the public over planning.
The new mayor of Kerry, Mr Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail), has called for Section 140 motions, a reserve function of councillors, to be used sparingly, especially in relation to planning matters.
Mr Paul O'Donoghue, the leader of Fianna Fail on the council, has called for a moratorium for six months on Section 140 motions to allow the new council and the new manager, Mr Martin Riordan, a breathing space.
When a Section 140 is on the agenda for planning, specialised planning reports must be prepared in advance, and each motion can take up to 40 minutes of the meeting's business.
Prior to the local elections, up to 60 such motions were tabled by councillors, leaving little room for any other business. In the months leading up to the election, planners had to cancel appointments with the public to prepare the reports.
However, Mr Healy-Rae said he would not rest. "The problems people are having with planning have not gone away," he said, claiming there was no consistency in planning in Kerry.