asked the Minister for Local Government if a local authority may exclude the press from its meetings without his prior sanction; and, if not, the number of local authorities that have sought such sanction.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Exclusion of Press from Council Meetings.
11.
Section 15 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902, provides that no resolution of any council, board or commissioners to exclude the press from meetings of the authority shall be valid unless it has been sanctioned by the Minister. There is no record in my Department of any application for sanction to such a resolution.
Is the Minister aware of any local authority in the country at present who prohibit the press from attending their meetings?
I am not aware.
According to press reports recently, there are some.
I do not think so.
Even in the Irish Press.
I still do not think so.