Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Litter Pollution.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

1536 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he proposes to introduce legislation which will oblige political parties and other persons who put election posters on poles to use colour coded ties in view of the fact that poster ties left on poles after elections litter the environment countrywide. [16598/02]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Gallagher):

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 local authorities and political parties, drawing their attention to the provisions in the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, on the exhibition and distribution of election and refer endum 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 are put in place to remove poster ties after elections and referenda.

In the circumstances, it is not proposed to introduce legislation on the lines suggested in the Oireachtas.