asked the Minister for Local Government if he will introduce legislation, if necessary, to ensure that election posters shall not be posted on to walls, poles, etc. but shall be affixed only by removable display boards, and that all such posters shall be removed within 14 days after polling days.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Election Posters.
5.
I do not think that legislation on the lines suggested is necessary or would be appropriate.
Election posters are exempted from the need for obtaining planning permission provided they are not exhibited for more than seven days after the election. After that time the local planning authority has statutory powers to secure the removal of any posters still remaining. Responsibility for the removal of posters rests on those who had them put up. I hope that this duty will be recognised by all concerned in the forthcoming local elections and that candidates and parties contesting the elections will use types of posters which can readily be removed after the elections so that a need will not arise for enforcement proceedings.
Is the Minister not aware that after the Presidential election, the public had to suffer for weeks the accusing stare of an almost defeated candidate in parts of the suburbs of this city and were wondering if they were ever going to be removed? Does he not consider that it is not sufficient to leave it to the discretion of the parties who put up the posters, because it is obvious that in many cases such parties disappear? While their enthusiasm is great before elections in putting up the posters, the results of elections very often dampen the enthusiasm to the extent that they do not take them down. Does he not think there should be a more definite provision to abate the nuisance of posters on poles and walls?
A very expansive question.
It is all related to the central point.
The local authority have statutory power to secure the removal of these posters.