Move to introduce mandatory audio and visual recordings at council meetings

A PROPOSAL to introduce audio and visual recordings of Meath County Council meetings was defeated at a meeting of the council last week, when councillors heard there was a process they would have to go through first.

Cllr Yvonne Everard had proposed the Chief Executive of Meath County Council introduce mandatory audio and visual recordings of all Council and Municipal District meetings.

She was told by Chief Executive, Kieran Kehoe that the use of cameras and recording equipment at meetings is governed by the Council’s Standing Orders. Accordingly, the introduction of audio and visual recording would necessitate an amendment to the Standing Orders.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Sarah Reilly said amending the Standing Orders could be discussed at the December Corporate Policy Group meeting and then a workshop on its implementation could be held in January. “It would give councillors time to see what other councils are doing,” she said.

Cllr Everard said she wanted the proposal put to a vote, and the motion was defeated by 20 votes to eight with 12 either abstaining or absent.

Proposing the motion, Cllr Everard recalled recent events regarding a dispute over minutes in the September meeting.

“This is not good for the either the executive or councillors. We need to prevent this kind of situation from recurring.

“Accuracy and transparency are fundamental principles of good governance and ensure that public officials act responsibly and are accountable. Accuracy in public office ensures that all information, statements, reports and decisions are truthful and reliable and based on verified facts.

“Transparency means conducting public duties openly. Public officials must be take responsibility for their decisions and actions and be able to justify them, including accepting responsibility for mistakes.

“Around 13 other councils record their meetings, I don't see why any local representatives would have an issue with it,” she said.

Cllr Emer Tóibín said the public have a right to know not just what decisions are made and how they are reached, but what arguments are put forward and what assurances and commitments are given.

“At present, the public must rely on written minutes, which are procedural summaries rather than a complete account of proceedings. The September meeting and the subsequent presentation of its minutes at the October meeting have exposed the shortcomings of that system. Important contributions from councillors, including objections to the minutes and the circumstances surrounding three councillors leaving in protest, were not adequately reflected.

“Minutes can be corrected. But that is precisely the point - when there is a disagreement, a recording gives us an objective reference against which to check the record. Without one, we are left debating recollections and interpretations. A recording does not decide who is right. It allows the facts to be checked.”

Cllr Paddy Meade recalled that before the last County Development Plan he had looked to have them all recorded.

“This is of no advantage or disadvantage to anybody. It is about accuracy,” he said.

Cllr Nick Killian said minutes record the actions and decisions of the meeting. “That is what they are there for, To write verbatim in a minute wouldn't be on. The majority of minutes in my time here have been accurate.

“I don't have any problem with recording and please god in the new chamber we will have the equipment.

“We are wasting time here talking about what happened two months ago.

He took exception to Cllr Everard's use of the word 'mandatory' “My god we are not a police state yet. “We are not Putin.”

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said he no problem with the motion or when it will happen but asked where would councillors stand if something was “ said in the heat of the moment.”

Cllr David Gilroy said the decision shouldn't be taken that day.

“We need to put a bit of thought into how it is done. It could allow people to take recordings out of context - so a bit of thought needs to given into it.”

Cllr Dave Boyne said that if we can have Oireachtas TV and record what is going on in the Dáil, they should be able to do it in the council.

Cllr Helen Meyer said she supported the motion. “It would take away any questions. If meetings were recorded, we would have it in black and white,” she said.

Cllr Gerry O'Connor said he fully supported the recoding of the meetings. “Changes are needed in the standing orders which takes time to do. We need to put time into it. We will be in our new chamber shortly and that will need a change in standing orders and we could do it then.”

- Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme