The promoters of a statue to commemorate the late writer Bryan MacMahon have appealed a planning decision by Listowel Town Council so they can retain the height of the monument in the interests of "the status of the statue".
Controversy has surrounded the €27,000 project scheduled to be unveiled during last month's Listowel Writers' Week by Senator Maurice Hayes.
It was postponed when it was realised it needed planning permission.
The 1.8m (5ft 11in) lifesize bronze statue on a 150cm (6in) bronze base in the grounds of the refurbished Listowel Castle was given the go-ahead, but on condition the 711mm (2ft 4in) stone base be omitted.
Planners considered the overall height - 2.66m (8ft 9in) - too high if the base were to be included.
However, Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan, who is chairman of the North Kerry Literary Trust, has now told An Bord Pleanál a the stone base is of vital importance to the status of the statue.
"The position of the statue was very carefully chosen as the neighbouring property to the south, the Seanchaí (Literary) Centre, provides an ideal backdrop."
"The significance of the base is to raise the statue slightly above passers-by to provide a clear view of the statue and to signify the status of this very popular man in his own community," he said.