Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2012
119 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the local authorities rule (details supplied), if he will explain the way in which all parties, whether they are on the yes or the no camp, seem to be flouting this law in all counties and there seems to be no repercussions on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24786/12]
View answerSection 19 (7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as initially enacted, provided that election and referendum posters had to be removed within 7 days following the relevant polling date. Through the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009, this provision was amended to also provide for a time limit prior to the polling date, during which election and referendum posters can be displayed. It specifies that election posters may only be erected from the date of the Polling Day Order or 30 days prior to the date of the poll, whichever is the shorter period. The time limit for referendum posters was not restricted to 30 days; such posters may be displayed from the date the Polling Day Order is signed.
Any election or referenda posters in place before or after the stipulated timeframe may be subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150. The responsibility for enforcement of this legislation is a matter for the relevant local authority.
There are no specific requirements under the Litter Pollution Acts governing either the number, size, location or positioning of election posters. However, I understand that under section 95(14) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which falls within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the erection of posters on directional signs and traffic light poles is an offence, if such posters obscure the visibility of the signs or obstruct the view of public road users so as to render the road dangerous to them.
