Local Lens

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

The future of Meath’s civil society hinges on the participation and democratic investment of its younger citizens. The engine of our society—Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012—has often struggled to make the crucial connection between voting and the decisions that directly impact their lives. 
With almost 70% of unregistered voters under the age of 34, there is a significant push to ensure every eligible young voice is heard.
This episode dives into the national perspective on engaging with this vital demographic, detailing efforts to modernize the electoral register and combat misinformation. 
We explore how digital platforms like TikTok are being used to reach future voters and highlight the local work happening to nurture young democratic interest.
Joining host Elaine Keogh are Art O’Leary, the Chief Executive at the Electoral Commission, and the Meath County Council register of electors team members Sheila Sheridan and Sharon McElroy, who detail how young people are actively shaping their county.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Engaging Gen Z and the voting challenge
Digital engagement and pre-registration push
Combating electoral misinformation globally
Meath register team's role and data cleansing
Comhairle na nÓg's right to switch off
QUOTES
We want everybody who's eligible to vote to be on the electoral register. - Art O'Leary
People need to inform the registration authority about these changes... each person is responsible to ensure that they're registered to vote and that their information is up to date. - Sheila Sheridan
If we write to you inviting you to verify your registration details, please don't ignore this request, as you risk being removed from the register… - Sharon McElroy
KEYWORDS #YouthEngagement #VotingRights #ElectoralIntegrity #MeathDemocracy #RegisterCheck
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

How can we live our best and longest life?  It is a question that we all ponder as we age.

This episode looks at what is happening in county Meath, and nationally, to help us to ‘age in place’ and as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland which is a shared service across the 31 local authorities in Ireland and hosted nationally by Meath County Council, talks about her work and why the voices of older people are so important.

We also hear how Meath County Council is providing for older residents and what the council is doing to contribute to, and enable, a decent quality of life for our older people. 

Also in studio are Valerie McHugh Age Friendly Meath Programme Manager and Brian Hora, Senior Executive Officer, in the Community Dept with Meath County Council.

And we hear from Darren Kelly, Branch Manager, Tirlán, Athboy about what it has done to be age friendly, and an older person visits the store and shares her thoughts on it.
The Meath County Council Community Department can be contacted by emailing community@meathcoco.ie.