A Galway People Before Profit representative has reiterated his call for the public to be granted access to Galway City Council meetings.
Adrian Curran reminded councillors of Section 45 of the Local Government Act, 2014, which states that “members of the public and representatives of the media are entitled to be present at a meeting of a local authority.”
He said that since Galway City Council switched to online meetings in 2020, the public has been denied this right.
Councillors agreed at their last meeting to continue holding hybrid council meetings where councillors can attend remotely.
“When the meetings are being filmed and streamed anyway, it would be easy and cost free to allow members of the public to watch the stream,” said Mr Curran.
“Given the current high levels of infection, it is perfectly understandable for the council to continue with hybrid meetings.
“It is unacceptable however for councillors to use this as an excuse to avoid scrutiny from the people who elect them.”
