For the second time in under a month, Laois County Council have voted to block the introduction of live streaming of Council meetings, despite the appeals of opposition councillors.
Independent councillor Aisling Moran has raised the issue of streaming on numerous occasions, with the last one coming as recently as September.
The proposal was blocked by nine votes to five on that occasion, with the inclusion of Cllr Moran’s motion again this week causing another 45-minute debate in the chamber.
Proceedings began with Cathaoirleach Padraig Fleming noting the similarity of Cllr Moran’s motion to the one she tabled at the September meeting.
An Cathaoirleach said that Cllr Moran’s motion was “90%” the same as the September motion, adding that councillors must wait a minimum of six months before trying to overturn a Council decision or table a repeated motion.
Cllr Moran disputed this, saying her September motion was to ask Laois County Council to introduce live streaming in the county, while her October motion was asking to send a letter to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, asking that live streaming of Council meetings be introduced right around the country.
However, as the new motion received the written approval of six other councillors, it was permitted into the meeting’s agenda.
“There is no credible impediment to live streaming our Council meetings; the technology is there, the money is there, but for some unknown reason, the willingness is not there,” Cllr Moran said.
“This refusal is an obstacle to public access, and undermines the basic tenants of transparency, accountability and good coverage.
“We are living in an age where so much of our lives, activities and services are carried out and experienced online.
“We can live stream funerals from rural churches and Junior ‘B’ football matches, and yet here in County Hall – the hub of our local democracy – we cannot live-stream a monthly meeting.
“This would be a positive move for the Council, generating more public awareness of our work, activities, services, and our debates.
“What are we afraid of? Why are we hiding away?
“Let’s get our work out there for everyone to see: real accountability; genuine transparency; and public engagement.
“It would encourage people to take an interest in politics and local government, and could be beamed into every school in the country for those studying politics and civics.
“The Government is dishing out money like confetti at a 1970’s wedding on all sorts of things – including bicycle sheds – we can certainly afford to make provision to live stream our meetings.”
Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy spoke in support of the motion, saying: “This is not a new concept, it’s 20 years ago since Fingal County Council introduced this.
“Transparency and accountability are not dirty words; there’s no accusation implied or understood in these words.
“There seems to be some sensitivity around those words, but I don’t agree with that, I think they’re very positive words.
“This is a very valuable resource, and I think viewing figures are quite irrelevant – even if only ten people watch, it’s still worth it.
“I would urge people to reconsider if they have any doubts of the advantages of live streaming.”
But the Government parties were not for turning, with Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken first to oppose the motion.
“We rejected this idea at the last meeting. The thing that bugs me every time I hear about transparency, transparency – implying that there’s something wrong,” Cllr Bracken said.
“Every second word is “transparency.” I’m over 37 years in local politics and I’ve never seen anything wrong in my time.
“I’m not afraid of anyone or to be put in front of any forum; we rejected it at the last meeting and I’m proposing we reject again.
“What protection does a public representative have in the Chamber if they say something here and it’s live streamed? We haven’t the Dáil privilege that they have in Leinster House.
“If something is live streamed and someone says something wrong – what protection does a public representative have then?”
Independent Councillor Ollie Clooney supported Cllr Bracken, saying: “We’ve been here before, what a waste of time this is.
“We are well served here by local media, who do a fabulous job. Anything we say here can be read.
“I think we want to put this to bed, and we want to put it to bed for good.”
Fine Gael Councillor John King also rejected the proposal, saying: “I’m 15 years in Laois County Council and I’m very pleased with the people at the top table (Council staff including the CEO, Engineers, Directors of Service, and Heads of departments) and the media and they work they do.
“I’m happy with what we’ve done in the past and I’m happy to keep going the way we are.”
Before taking a vote on the matter, Sinn Féin Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley asked “Are we seriously taking a vote to try prevent a letter being sent to the Minister?
“I’ve never before seen a vote a vote being called where we’re asking for a letter to be sent to a Minister; it’s a first for me.
“You’re conflating this with the previous motion, but this is completely different.
“If the message is going out from this Chamber that we’re going to prevent a letter going to the Minister, then it’s a sad day for local politics.”
The proposal was blocked by 12 votes to seven.
It was a strong statement from the Government parties, with all six Fianna Fáil Councillors – Padraig Fleming, Paddy Bracken, Seamus McDonald, John Joe Fennelly, Catherine Fitzgerald and Paschal McEvoy – and all five Fine Gael councillors – Willie Aird, Conor Bergin, John King, Vivienne Phelan and Barry Walsh – as well as Independent Councillor Ollie Clooney, all voting against streaming Council meetings.
Those in favour of streaming the meetings were the other five Independent councillors – Aisling Moran, Ben Brennan, James Kelly, Tommy Mulligan and Aidan Mullins – along with Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy and Sinn Féin Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Laois property described as ‘exquisite luxury’ sells for €550,000
