Meeting Details

This meeting will be webcast for live and subsequent broadcast on the Council's You Tube site Live Broadcast Link

"This Council fully acknowledges the outstanding 14 years President Michael D Higgins has served to his country and the people of this island. Championing equality, inclusion, human rights, and civic ethics — often speaking out on social justice and global solidarity. He notably undertook the first-ever state visit by an Irish President to the UK in April 2014, marking a significant step in post Troubles reconciliation and international diplomacy. 

This Council will write to President Higgins to thank him for his commitment, passion, and duty of service to the people across this island".

That this Council expresses its deepest sympathy to the families affected by the unauthorised recording, sharing, and circulation of images and videos taken at the scenes of fatal or critical road traffic collisions.

Condemns the increasing trend of individuals and media outlets capturing and distributing distressing footage of victims without consent, often before families have been formally notified.

Recognises the serious psychological harm and trauma this causes to bereaved families, and the urgent need for legislative protection.

Reaffirms that the right of families to privacy and dignity must always outweigh the voyeuristic or commercial interests of individuals or media outlets.

Backs the campaign for Caoimhé’s Law — a proposed piece of legislation that would make it a criminal offence to:
• record or share images/videos of victims at the scene of a fatal or critical road traffic collision without lawful authority or family consent;
• circulate such material before families are officially notified;
• use such content for sensationalist, exploitative, or commercial purposes;
• publish crash scene images without prior approval from the PSNI or relevant authorities;
• obstruct emergency services or interfere with rescue operations through the recording or sharing of such material.

Acknowledges the testimony of families, including those from this district, who have been directly impacted by the unauthorised sharing of videos and images of their loved ones in the immediate aftermath of fatal road incidents.

Notes that similar legislation exists or is being introduced in other jurisdictions, including the Republic of Ireland and England & Wales, recognising the same growing problem of “digital voyeurism” at accident scenes.

Calls on the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department of Justice to prioritise the drafting and introduction of this legislation as a matter of urgency.

"Mid-Ulster District Council recognises the courage and bravery of the 'ladies with letters' campaign group who are representing 17,500 women, will amplify their frustration with the Department of Health and will write to the Minister of Health to show our support for their continued calls for an independent inquiry."

Citizens’ Assembly and Constitutional Change
That this Council notes that across the island of Ireland, Britain and further afield, the consideration of a reunited Ireland in the EU is live and growing, involving all levels of society and political groupings, including those who previously may not have supported this position; further notes with concern and disappointment that the current Irish Government has not yet set a date for the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to debate and commence the necessary discussions and preparations for our constitutional future; resolves to contact the Irish Government via the Office of an Taoiseach and an Tánaiste to seek and urge a timeframe for the convening of a Citizens’ Assembly on this issue; welcomes that Workshops on potential constitutional change have commenced and are moving forward within Mid Ulster District Council and this demonstrates the prudent governance necessary to mitigate against Brexit type lack of preparations; recognises the need to actively engage with our constituents and affected stakeholders on key themes pertaining to this issue, exploring the potential implications, barriers and opportunities for our Council area, via in person and online mechanisms; and calls for the establishment of an all Member Governance Reference Group for Constitutional Change, to guide and progress this work.