HISTORIC: Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen, chaired the first ever online meeting of Kerry County Council from his home in Kenmare, today (Monday), following the signing of the necessary ministerial order to enable local authorities to meet remotely and to allow councillors to vote on various matters. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The first ever online meeting of Kerry County Council took place today (Monday) following the signing of the necessary ministerial order to enable local authorities to meet remotely and to allow councillors to vote on various matters.

The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen, chaired the meeting from his home in Kenmare and his fellow elected members as well as Council management and the press joined the meeting online.

Cllr Connor-Scarteen said that votes on statutory business can now be taken during online meetings following the signing of the legislative requirements to facilitate such votes.

"This is the first time in 121 years of Kerry County Council that we have held a meeting using online meeting technology so from that point of view, it is very historic in these strange and challenging times. Until now, we were required to meet physically in the one location to deal with statutory business, but following the signing of the necessary legislative provisions, we can now deal with all business at remote or online meetings," he said.

[caption id="attachment_34734" align="alignleft" width="408"] Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell, attends the first ever online meeting of Kerry County Council which took place today (Monday). Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]

Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell, said that the transition to fully online meetings has been important in continuing to carry out the functions of the local authority.

"This is a new way of doing business for everyone involved but we ONLINE: continue to work closely with elected members and the wider community to operate within the current restrictions and to continue to provide essential services and facilities to the people of Kerry," she said.