COMMENT: Up the pole!

IS THERE a lamppost left in Dublin that hasn’t been festooned with political posters?

I had to look at some of them twice, just to be certain that candidates weren’t flouting the law and putting up their election posters early.

You see, under our litter laws, election posters are not permitted more than 30 days before the polling date and must come down within seven days after voting closes. Otherwise, our local authorities are entitled to take enforcement action and issue fines, where appropriate.

Given the amount of posters doing the rounds in parts of the Northside, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were in the dying days of an election campaign. But no – our helpful politicians (and wannabe TDs) are merely informing us of public meetings they have organised on various issues ranging from water charges to crime to health.

And we’re happy to confirm that they are not breaking any laws. 

In response to a query from Northside People, Fingal County Council stated: “Section 19 (7)(b) of the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 – 2009 permits the erection of posters advertising a public meeting.

“The erection of such posters is permitted 30 days prior to the meeting and seven days after the event. Only posters on display outside this timeframe constitute a breach of the Acts and are subject to enforcement.”

The spokesperson added: “The council investigates all complaints in relation to breaches of the Act. There have been no recent complaints of significance in relation to this issue.”

Similarly, Dublin City Council has guidelines on the issue, including:

• Permission in writing must be sought prior to any posters being put in place. 

• There are restrictions in relation to location of posters and height restrictions. 

• The maximum size of the posters/notices shall be 900mmx600mm.

• The name and picture of the individual hosting the meeting can only take up a maximum 25 per cent of the poster.

• Posters can be put in place seven days before a public meeting and must be removed within seven days of the date of the meeting.

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said that from September to November 2014, 38 poster applications were received. This compares with 78 applications for the same period this year.

He added: “The legislation governing posters is contained in Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Acts which allows for posters to be put in place to advertise public meetings. As posters for public meetings are placed on Dublin City Council property, the Posters Protocol was agreed by interested parties and approved by the city council.”