Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Jan 1964

Vol. 207 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Advertising Notices.

10.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the Electricity Supply Board have attached large notice boards to lamp standards and cable poles in Dublin suburbs, particularly in the Terenure area; and that these boards carry advertisements for the Board, for particular house builders and for house furnishers; if, as such boards impair the scenic appearance of the city's suburbs and constitute unfair competition against other power and light contractors, he will introduce legislation to make the practice illegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

11.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the statutory entitlement of the Electricity Supply Board to erect along the public highway and elsewhere poles to carry electricity cables also entitles the Board to use such poles to support hoardings to advertise goods sold by the Board, houses sold by builders, and furniture sold by traders; if not, if he will ask the Board not to erect such hoardings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. Childers

I am not aware of any statutory impediment to the practice referred to by the Deputy. I do not accept that this practice constitutes unfair competition against other contractors and I do not propose to request the ESB to cease the practice. The question of legislation to deal with the amenity aspect would be a matter for the Minister for Local Government.