The Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, provides the statutory framework to combat the litter challenge. Under the Act, the primary management and enforcement response to littering falls under the remit of the local authorities. The Act also prescribes periods for which public meeting and election posters may be displayed.
A public consultation process on the control of postering for elections and referenda was undertaken by this Department in September 2008, to balance the need of providing information to the public with the management of the erection of posters. As a result of this public consultation Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 was amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2009, which introduced a 30-day time limit prior to an election, referendum or public meeting taking place, during which posters can be displayed. Posters erected to advertise public meetings are permissible until the advertisement has been in position for 7 days or longer after the day specified in the advertisement for the meeting. Failure to comply with this legislation is an offence.
I am satisfied that the above measures provide the safeguards to mitigate against the potential creation of litter from these sources.
