The live streaming of Athlone Moate Municipal District meetings in the interest of openness, transparency and good customer service received due consideration at the recent meeting of local authority public representatives within the civic centre Council chamber.
Raising the motion, Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, noted that a number of local authorities were now live streaming their monthly meetings with such developments being “well received” by the public.
“This is a perfectly acceptable step to take as a Municipal District. I am not aware of the relevant costs involved with regard to live streaming our monthly meetings but I do now it is not just as straight forward as placing a camera on the wall of this Council chamber,” Cllr. O’Rourke commented.
Supporting the motion, Cllr. Louise Heavin, stated that potential live streaming of future local authority meetings would afford members of the public the opportunity to recognise Councillors work “in real time”.
Referencing the motion, Cllr. Tom Farrell commended the local print media who always afforded due coverage to the topics discussed during the monthly Municipal District meetings.
“Members of the public living in rural areas love to read newspapers and while I am not completely against this motion, we need to tread cafrefully in this regard,” Cllr. Farrell said.
Echoing Cllr. Farrell’s sentiments pertaining to the local media, Town Mayor, Cllr. Frankie Keena, remarked that Roscommon County Council elected representative meetings were held in camera, suggesting to the members present that further relevant information should be obtained before making a definite decision in this regard.
