Laois councillors argue over proposal to live stream meetings

A discussion on the live streaming of council meetings descended into a hostile exchange of words between councillors at the monthly meeting of Laois County Council. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran called for live streaming, recording and archiving of council meetings in the interest of transparency. 

Cllr Moran asked "that Laois County Council, in the interest of transparency and accountability facilitate the implementation of live streaming of all public meetings and archiving of same. This will encourage more public engagement and facilitate education of what happens in Local Government. This needs to be done as soon as possible. I first brought forward this motion in June 2021 and every year since. The last Council agreed that it would be considered by the new Council in 2024.” 

Acknowledging the fact that she had raised the matter a number of times before, Cllr Moran pointed out that Kerry County Council is to pilot live streaming of meetings. 

She said she was pleased to note that Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird had spoken of prioritising transparency at the selection convention where he was chosen to run as a Fine Gael candidate in the general election. 

Cllr Moran said she was delighted to read the comments as she invited the councillors to support her motion. She also quoted a relation who used to say, “don’t listen to what people say, watch what they do.” 

Independent Cllr Tommy Mulligan seconded the motion and said he believed it would be a good way of opening local politics up to the younger generation. 

He said while he hadn’t experienced it, there have been times in the past “when inappropriate comments and condescending remarks have been passed in this chamber” and he believed live streaming might curb such behaviour. 

He said councillors have been voted in by the public who should be entitled to see what happens at the council. 

Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy said she was fully behind the motion. She said if live streaming could take place at a funeral she saw no reason why it couldn’t take place during council meetings. 

She said live streaming would cost around €50,000 and she couldn’t see why it wouldn’t be introduced. 

Independent Cllr James Kelly said he also fully supported the idea of live streaming council meetings. 

Fianna Fail’s John Joe Fennelly said he just didn’t agree with it. Fine Gael Cllr John King also disagreed with the motion and they asked for a vote. 

Laois County Council’s Head of Information Systems, Pat Grassick said the costs of providing the service would be €50,000 to set it up and €25,000 a year after that.  

Cllr Moran said she believed the set up costs would be zero as a system is already in place and she estimated the annual cost at €20,000 or less a year. 

“There should be accountability and transparency as regard to costings,” Cllr Moran added. 

She said Cllr Aird had brought up transparency at the Fine Gael selection convention and asked if he was going to leave the chamber.

“Willie Aird is going to walk out of the building so he doesn’t have to vote,” she claimed. 

Cllr Aird said they had just been told that the cost would be €75,000. 

“Not true,” replied Cllr Moran. 

Mr Grasshig said it would be €50,000 to set up as the system would need upgrading and it would cost €25,000 per annum after that. 

Cllr Moran demanded to know whether or not the councillors wanted transparency. 

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney said the motion should be postponed due to Cllr Moran’s “attitude” in the chamber. 

“I was chair of the last committee. We made soundings. The viewing of this is very, very low, it is negligible,” he said in relation to live streaming. 

“If I had €75,000, personally I would like to get a lane tarred, get a few lights done,” he remarked. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said the council has regular audits both internal and external. He said nothing untoward has been found. 

He accused Cllr Moran of using “slang words that give a negative view of the council.” 

“Why are you all afraid of live streaming?” asked Cllr Moran. 

Cllr Clooney told Cllr Moran that she had been defeated and advised her to “take your beating”. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Bracken said he was “sick” of listening to the talk of transparency  and “implying there was something going on”. 

“Fianna Fail and Fine Gael don’t like the word transparency…shame on you all,” said Cllr Moran. 

The motion was put to a vote and defeated nine votes to five. Cllrs Kelly, Moran, Tuohy, Mulligan and Dwane Stanley voted in favour of live streaming.