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