The controversial outdoor catering area that was set up in front of a St. Julian’s Bar is being removed because it was not covered by a Lands Authority permit, the transport and infrastructure ministry said today.

The offending platform was set up in a loading and unloading bay in front of Cork’s Irish Pub in St George’s Road.

The metal and timber structure is approximately 3 meters wide, jutting out by around a metre from cars parked along the same pavement.

The St Julian’s local council said the structure was covered by the necessary PA and Lands Authority permits.

However, in a statement today the government said that no permit had been issued by the Lands Authority. It said that the PA had issued a permit after following regular procedure. No objections had been registered during that phase.

A spokesperson for the Planning Authority told this newsroom that the structure was not “in full accordance with the approved permit.”

The Lands Authority has also not yet granted the necessary concession for the structure to be placed, the spokesperson said.

PA pointed out that this application followed the normal process just like any other planning application, including a notification for the public and a 30 day representation period etc. The Authority received no objections throughout the processing of this application, PA said.