Coverage of Waterford Metro Council meeting queried

At the May meeting of the Metropolitan District of Waterford City and County Council, councillors learned about the recording arrangements between the Council and local radio station, WLR FM. 

During a discussion on changing the time and day for the monthly Metropolitan District meeting, Mayor Joe Kelly referenced a local media organisation and publishing deadlines. Normally, Metro meetings take place at 5pm on the third Monday of each month. 

Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Kelly said: "I think the publishing day is usually Tuesday, and Monday is way too late for any reporters to write their copy, so it's the next week at least before anything can be done." 

He continued: "I think even with WLR FM, they have expressed some concerns around the 5pm-7pm meeting. This is an attempt to address a lot of that."

A motion to change the time of the meeting was seconded by Councillor Pat Fitzgerald, who referenced possible traffic delays on travelling to an evening meeting in the city. 

Councillor Mary Roche also referenced traffic issues and suggested holding the meeting at 2pm because "2.30pm is a school finishing time".

Mayor Cllr Kelly later said: "On the WLR thing, it was more of a casual conversation than official contact from, say, a director or somebody out in WLR, but certainly it was indicated to me."

Cllr Roche said: "You know they're not here now Mayor," referencing WLR. Cllr Eamon Quinlan responded: "They record our microphones," to which Cllr Roche asked: "Even if they're not here?" 

Cllr Quinlan retorted: "They don't need to be here."

Cllr Fitzgerald said: "In this particular instance it's a bit strange that a private company (WLR FM) records a public meeting." 

Mayor Kelly said: "I don't know if there's any issues with that but we'll certainly look into that." 

An official in Waterford City and County Council was contacted for clarification on any recording apparatus arrangement. They said they were "not aware" of such a practice.