Citizens in north Dublin will be able to witness democracy in action live on the internet as their local authority announced it is to be the first in Ireland to broadcast its council meetings via webcast.
Fingal County Council has confirmed it will transmit its council meetings live on the web under the EU's 'e-Participate' project.
Minister of State Noel Ahern formally announced the project at Fingal County Council's headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin today.
"This project reflects great innovation on the part of Fingal County Council and a significant change in the way the local authority will interact with its customers in the future, be they members of the public, the business community, voluntary or community groups," Mr Ahern said.
"This webcasting facility gives a new meaning to transparency and customer service by providing direct access to the heart of the democratic process, that is the council meeting. It is a very significant and innovative means of communication between local government and the citizen and one that I am confident will enhance the sense of partnership and participation which successive Governments have sought to develop at local level in Ireland."
He congratulated the elected members of Fingal County Council and the county manager and his officials for being the first local authority in Ireland to transmit council meetings live on the web.
"Local government has an important role to play in enhancing citizen participation and promoting social cohesion in a democratic Europe, and Fingal County Council's Webcasting facility can contribute significantly in this process. I wish the council every success with the project."
Some of the most interesting and controversial episodes in modern Irish politics have emerged from the planning process in north Dublin, some of them prior to the establishment of Fingal County Council and from the time of the former Dublin City Council.
A number of politicians serving in the local authority's area, including the former Fianna Fáil minister Ray Burke and the late Liam Lawlor became the subject of tribunal investigations.