Online meeting with IDA abandoned due to poor broadband connectivity

An online meeting between IDA Ireland and Offaly County Council had to be abandoned on Monday evening, due to poor broadband connectivity.

Elected members of the council complained about poor reception and sound quality during the IDA presentation which was presented remotely by two officials.

The councillors agreed that as the issue was of such importance, the meeting should be rescheduled so all those present at the meeting could hear the full details.

The address from the IDA was on the agenda for the October meeting of Offaly County Council today (Monday) and was due to last for approximately 45 minutes.

The vast majority of the councillors were present, socially distanced, with a number also joining the meeting remotely.

At the end of the monthly meeting, council CEO Anna Marie Delaney apologised for connectivity issues which had plagued the meeting throughout the afternoon.

A number of council officials who had been making presentations through Zoom software had to leave their offices and physically attend the council chamber, where some of the elected representatives and council officials were present.

Denis Curran, financial services with the IDA, told the meeting that there had been lots of activity in relation to the midlands and Offaly in the past 12 to 18 months in relation to foreign direct investment.

He said Covid-19 had impacted on their activities, which he planned to elaborate further on during the meeting.

A total of 58% of employees in IDA companies are outside Dublin, which is “an all-time high”, Mr Curran said.

“All regions are experiencing growth,” he said.

At this point, with sound quality proving unreliable, Cllr Frank Moran proposed they suspend the meeting as they were unable to hear all of the information being provided.

Council Cathaoirleach Cllr John Carroll said: “We can only hear some things, and the sound is coming and going”.

“This issue is too important. I would prefer if we call off the meeting,” he said. He said they could hold another meeting when the reception is better.

While there may be further restrictions in place due to Covid-19 he said, they can arrange a meeting, virtually, if required.

The chief executive said she would liaise with the IDA and reschedule the meeting. She noted they had problems earlier in relation to sound.

At the close of the meeting later that afternoon, Ms Delaney said: “Technology has let us down today. There is a feeling that it may be weather related, in terms of the signal”.