Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
388. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if grant funding will be provided to enable the live streaming of local authority meetings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14714/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 45(5) of the Local Government Act 2001 states that a local authority may, by standing orders, regulate the right of members of the public and members of the media to be present at meetings. This includes the making of rules in relation to recording or relaying the proceedings as they take place or at a later stage.
It is therefore a matter for the elected members of each local authority to decide in the first instance to webcast local authority meetings and then to allocate sufficient funding from their annual budget for the provision of such facilities.
However, I recognise the potential in the use of technology to strengthen local democracy, leadership and governance.
The Programme for Government Our Shared Future states that "the new Government is committed to making local government stronger, more accountable and more responsive to the communities it serves". The Programme for Government also has a commitment to "implement the Moorhead Report on the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members within 12 months". One of the Report's recommendations is that live streaming should be implemented in all local authorities to ensure full transparency of proceedings at council meetings. My Department is now considering this matter in the context of the Report's implementation.
