asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to have election material removed from pylons along the public roads.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Election Material.
8.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will instruct local authorities to have election literature removed from walls and buildings along public roads.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
The removal after the event of election material on public display is the responsibility of those who carry out the posting not of the local authorities.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, the erection of advertisements relating to a Presidential, Dáil or local election or a referendum is exempted development on condition that the material is removed within seven days of the event. It is open to the planning authorities to use their powers under the Act to enforce observance of the removal proviso but in the normal course such enforcement should not be necessary. I assume that the removal of election material is being arranged by the bodies and persons directly responsible in the matter.
May we take it that where these unsightly posters are left unduly long, staring at the inoffensive public, the candidate, successful or otherwise, will be charged with responsibility for removing them?