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Litter Pollution

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 November 2013

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Ceisteanna (142)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

142. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problem of car-dealers erecting large numbers of advertising posters in residential areas offering cash for cars; if his attention has been drawn to the considerable resources which local authorities have to devote to the removal of such posters and the difficulty in prosecuting those responsible as the mobile phone numbers are untraceable; and if he will review the penalties for this practice in order to ensure that they act as a more effective deterrent. [50896/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat litter problems. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering is a matter for the relevant local authority. Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act (Prohibition of articles and advertisements on and defacement of certain structures, etc.) applies in regard to the display of advertisements on perimeter railings or street lamps. This Section states that:

“Where any structure or other land, door, gate, window, tree, pole or post is in or is visible from a public place, a person who is not the owner, occupier or person in charge thereof shall not—

(a) exhibit or cause to be exhibited thereon any article or advertisement, or

(b) carry out or cause to be carried out any defacement thereof by writing or other marks,

unless the person is authorised in advance to do so in writing by such owner, occupier or person in charge or by or under any enactment.”

Any breach of the above section is liable to a €150 on-the-spot fine in the first instance and considerably more punitive measures on prosecution by the relevant local authority. I am satisfied that there are appropriate deterrents in place to deal with this issue.

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