Local Lens

Series two concludes with a one-on-one with the Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe.  
He address the three main issues the public raised with the council and, for this particular episode, listeners had the chance to submit questions directly to the podcast team.
The top three issues were housing, community and climate action and he address each in detail.He outlines his priorities for 2027 and he highlights the role of the podcast as a platform and source of information about the work of the council, its services and the people who provide them.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Expanding housing delivery targets through strategic county development plan variations.
Investing state funding into crucial infrastructure across regional growth hubs.
Enhancing community amenities through local public participation networks.
Upgrading rural road networks and footpaths to improve safe connectivity.
Driving climate action initiatives to boost local employment and sustainability.
QUOTES
Going back to the quality of life, you need a place to call home. - Kieran Kehoe
Once you know that there is an issue, you go and solve the issue, and that's what we're working on behind the scenes. - Kieran Kehoe
The most successful projects are the ones that have buy-in from everybody, part of the community. - Kieran Kehoe
MORE INFORMATION
Local government affects almost every aspect of our daily lives, yet many remain unsure how decisions are actually made. We dive into the delivery of over one thousand services and the vital role of your elected representatives. Discover how local democracy functions behind the scenes in Meath. Listen to the full episode. Search “Local Lens” on your podcast app now.
Visit our website;  meath.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io
KEYWORDS
#MeathCountyCouncil#HousingDelivery#LocalLens#PublicParticipationNetworkFunding
#RuralRoadInfrastructureInvestment

The work of Meath’s Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) is explored with a particular focus on domestic violence.   
Based in the headquarters of Meath County Council, Meath LCSP co-ordinator Gemma Ryan explains what it does, its priorities and why it is involved in an inter-agency conference on domestic violence being held in Navan this month. Joining the discussion is Frances Haworth, CEO Willow Domestic Abuse Services and Claudia Hegarty, Project Leader, Zero Tolerance Meath, a project by Willow.  
The theme of collaboration continues including how everyone in the community can play a role in combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
- Replacing joint policing committees with local community safety partnerships.
- Defining the key goals of the local safety plan.
- Examining the wide scope of Willow domestic abuse services.
- Understanding the economic and social costs of gender violence.
- Mobilising local residents through the zero tolerance project.
QUOTES
- No single agency can address complex social issues. - Gemma Ryan
- The language we use matters because it reflects and reinforces our own values or beliefs and social norms. - Claudia Hegarty
- We have to recognise it as a whole of community, whole of society problem, and then work together to ensure victims feel safe in coming forward for help and are met with that coordinated response. - Frances Haworth
MORE INFORMATION
Local government affects almost every aspect of our daily lives, yet many remain unsure how decisions are actually made. We dive into the delivery of over one thousand services and the vital role of your elected representatives. Discover how local democracy functions behind the scenes in Meath. Listen to the full episode. Search “Local Lens” on your podcast app now.
Visit our website;  meath.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io
KEYWORDS
#CommunitySafetyDomesticAbuse #LocalCommunitySafetyPartnership #ZeroToleranceMeath #WillowDomesticAbuseServices

Meath County Council’s longest serving councillor, Brian Fitzgerald, and it’s first black female councillor, Yemi Adenuga, join gender and politics researcher Claire McGing to look at participation and representation in local government.
Claire wrote, ‘Women Beyond the Dail: Access, Representation & Retention in Irish Local Government’ with Pauline Cullen,  Professor of Sociology at Maynooth University.
The episode discusses how Meath County Council has changed since the 1980s, the obstacles to increasing participation by women in local politics, the different experiences women can face as candidates and after election, and what the contributors think would encourage more women to get involved in local democracy.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Forty years of local political evolution in Meath.
The role of women in challenging political status quo.
Why gender quotas are controversial yet potentially effective tools.
Intersectional barriers for migrant and diverse candidates.
Strategies to encourage participation through community level action.
QUOTES
I think they are probably, from a family perspective, I think women are bringing forward issues that maybe men would not do, and I think that is very important. - Brian Fitzgerald
It is an attempt to silence women. It is a form of backlash to their participation in public life, and it is a real threat to democracy. - Claire McGing
Representation is powerful by every standard. When people see that somebody who looks like them is there, issues that ordinarily would not have been raised will be raised for people. - Yemi Adenuga
KEYWORDS 
#DiversityInLocalGovernment#WomenInIrishPolitics#LocalDemocracyParticipation#MigrantPoliticalRepresentation

July sees the start of Ireland’s six month term holding the Presidency of the European Union.  In advance of a particularly busy time for her Department, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meath TD Helen McEntee, recorded a special interview about the EU Presidency with Local Lens.
 
It touches on a wide range of topics including her priorities, the forthcoming EU Budget, Ukraine, tariffs and trade deals, and how she would like the people of Meath to remember the term.
 
As part of the Presidency County Meath has been paired with Italy so this episode also welcomed the Italian Ambassador to Ireland Nicola Faganello and, outlining what Meath County Council is doing and how the EU Presidency will not impact on budgets or services, is  Elaine Daly, Senior Executive Officer for Corporate Affairs and Governance at Meath County Council.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Ireland's leadership role within the EU Council
Strategic focus on European competitiveness
Managing agri-food and trade relationships
Strengthening ties between Meath and Italy
Upcoming community events and school initiatives
QUOTES
Every six months one of the 27 member states essentially takes over as the chair of the council. - Helen McEntee
The EU presidency offers huge opportunities for Ireland but also for County Meath. - Elaine Daly
The presidency of the EU Council is an important opportunity to help shape the European agenda. - Nicola Faganello
KEYWORDS #IrelandEUPresidency#MeathCountyCouncil#Twinning #Diplomacy#EUAffairs#LocalLens

Celebrating the Boyne Valley in the context of tourism, heritage and the related drivers of economic growth and jobs in county Meath, are discussed in this month’s episode.
 
With topics ranging from Newgrange to Farmaphobia, from Púca to post-pandemic outdoor activities, this episode is full of information and conversation about the rich heritage and tourism offerings in the county.
 
Joining the discussion are Emma Gill, Tourism officer for Meath County Council,  
Majella Farrell, Head of Economic & Business Development, Causey Farm owner Deirdre Murtagh and there is a collection of voices of visitors from many countries who had gathered in Trim to enjoy the Púca procession.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Experiential destination goal for Boyne Valley.
Encouraging visitors to stay longer in Meath.
Causey Farm offers interactive visitor experiences.
Púca Festival roots in Halloween's birthplace.
Future focus: business, coastal, equine tourism
QUOTES
Our number one aim is for the Boyne Valley to be one of the top experiential destinations in the world. - Emma Gill 
They say, it's the welcome we got here that has really stood out to us. - Deirdre Murtagh
I suppose tourism is a huge economic driver for me. That's one of our most important business sectors, really, in Meath. So it's a huge focus for us - Majella Farrell
KEYWORDS #BoyneAdventure #MeathTourism #ExperientialTravel #HalloweenBirthplace #LocalEconomyGrowth