Local authority to look at live streaming meetings

Cavan County Council is to look at how and where other local authorities around the country stream their meetings live, and examine the pros and cons before making any decision on whether to proceed with the initiative.

The council chamber at Cavan Courthouse already has the technology installed to facilitate livestreaming, and the matter has been debated before, but the discussion for change received renewed impetus after a motion tabled by Sinn Féin's Stiofán Conaty.

He himself had suggested the move following recent media and communications review undertaken by Cavan County Council, and told the November monthly meeting: “I cannot think of a single good reason for why these meetings cannot be broadcast on social media channels and the council’s own website. These broadcasts should also be available to play back for anyone who might miss the livestream.”

Believing it is “past time that the voters who put us here have a chance to see first-hand the work that is being done”, he thanked the word of local media - The Anglo Celt and Northern Sound - for attending and providing extensive coverage, but said media landscape has “shifted significantly”.

“People now expect access to the public workings of government, be that national or local, in real time and in full. Facilitating the live broadcasting of meetings would in no way take away from the journalism and political analysis of our existing print and broadcast outlets in Cavan. In fact, it is my belief that it would enrich public discourse and broaden the interest for council-related news in these traditional media outlets.”

Cllr Conaty concluded his comments by saying: “This isn’t a new or radical idea - it is already standard practice in many other counties and councils, north and south. It is time Cavan caught up.”

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council John Paul Feeley responded.

He said live streaming had been discussed at a recent Corporate Policy Group meeting, arising from which a decision had been taken by the council executive to explore matters further.

He noted that it was not as simple as merely “switching on cameras”. There was a cost and a management issue too that had to be dealt with. As such, he suggested waiting for the council to complete its analysis, expected sometime in the New Year, when a clearer picture of what could be achieved will be made available.