Live-streaming of Athlone council meetings underway

The Athlone Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council this month hosted a hybrid (in-person and online) monthly meeting following the installation of equipment costing some €106,000.

Members of the public now have the chance to tune in to the meetings by getting in touch with the council office, by email or phone, to request a link.

The total sum spent on the new system included a grant from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of €74,000.

The equipment includes two new screens, upgraded microphones, and three cameras which will enable live-streaming of the monthly district meetings.

Mayor of Athlone Moate Municipal District Cllr Vinny McCormack thanked the management team for its work on getting the new hybrid system put in place.

"Members can now log in online when they are caught up with other engagements," he said.

"The public can now attend the meetings by writing to the district for permission, so they can see what we get up to here on a monthly basis."

Cllr Tom Farrell, who advocated for the introduction of hybrid meetings in Athlone, spoke of the importance of online access to the meetings.

"It's very good for democracy, it's important that the public have access to these meetings," said Cllr Farrell.

"Mullingar has had this equipment for some time, so this is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme