Clare County Council is to seek a High Court injunction against musicians operating at the Cliffs of Moher visitor attraction in the spring, it has emerged.
The council claims the musicians are operating without permission on council property and are therefore trading illegally.
The musicians argue they have been forced to trade on these areas as the council has blocked a right of way to the cliffs while construction on the €32.5 million visitor centre continues.
The council's project leader for the Cliffs of Moher centre, Ger Dollard, said: "We have engaged senior counsel and are drafting the legal papers. It is not possible to seek an injunction at this time of year as there is no activity at the site, ie you can't look for an injunction to prevent something that isn't currently happening."
He added: "We do intend proceeding in the spring and will use the time available to prepare a very comprehensive and detailed case."
Last October solicitors' letters were issued on behalf of the council to musicians at the site, demanding they stop busking at the visitor attraction.
The first phase of the visitor centre project is expected to open in the spring. Much of the viewing area at the cliffs has been closed to the public since construction work began last April.
Mr Dollard has confirmed that new viewing areas and pathways on the Hags Head side of the cliff walk will open in the spring.
"This first phase will include the main viewing area which will be spectacular and will bring into use part of the cliff walk on which visitors had not been encouraged to walk up to now. A further viewing platform is also included at a mid-way point on this walk."
Mr Dollard said the council is hoping to have a major sponsor in place for the opening of this section of the project.
However, funding problems for the project remain with the council unable to date to bridge the €4.5 million shortfall that has emerged in the scheme.
Mr Dollard admitted that nothing significant has materialised yet in bridging the shortfall.
He said the council is still vigorously pursuing a number of avenues to source funds.
At the time of the awarding of the contract, the project was costed at €27 million and has now risen to €31.45 million - more than eight times the original estimate put on the scheme in 1990 when plans were first mooted.
At the council's December meeting, councillors were told by finance officer Niall Barrett that loan charges on the visitor centre project will cost the council €400,000 in 2006.
The visitor centre involves building a two-storey centre into the hill side behind the now demolished tea-rooms.
The development includes accommodation for the craft workers at the cliffs which has contributed to the rise in costs of the project. Receipts at the visitor facilities increased by 10 per cent this past season as a result of an expanded retail and catering space in the temporary buildings provided.
The centre is due to open in the first quarter of 2007.
