Vol. 556 No. 3
702 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, in view of the proliferation of election poster ties on ESB and Eircom poles in and around towns and villages, he will consider an initiative to have them removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20555/02]
It is the duty of political parties and others involved in elections and referenda to comply with litter legislation, and primary responsibility for enforcement of that legislation lies with local authorities. Prior to the general election in May 2002, my Department wrote to all local authorities and political parties, drawing their attention to the provisions in the Litter Pollution Act 1997 on the exhibition and distribution of election-referendum advertising materials, including the need to remove all posters, including poster ties, within seven days of the polling date. My Department has recently written to local authorities and political parties requesting that appropriate local arrangements be put in place to remove poster ties after elections-referenda.
