Gormley issues reminder - Election Posters may not be erected until 6th May

Minister warns of on-the-spot fines for early postering

Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has today (28 April 2009) issued a reminder to all candidates participating in the upcoming local and European elections that posters may not be erected any earlier than 6th May.

Recent legislation clarified the time period during which candidates may exhibit election posters and the Minister announced that for this year*s local and European elections candidates may only erect posters from 30 days before the polling date of June 5th.  The requirement for candidates to remove all posters within 7 days of the poll still remains; so all posters must be down by 12th June.

The Minister called on all candidates to ensure that they comply with the new requirements and advised that his Department has written to local authorities and political parties alerting them to the changes and reminding them of their responsibilities. *I ask local authorities to ensure that the new time period for exhibiting election posters is complied with in their functional areas. On-the-spot litter fines can be issued to all candidates who breach the time limits, either before or after the election,* the Minister said.

The new time limits were introduced to reduce the levels of litter arising from election posters. Other requirements, set out in the Road Traffic Acts, prohibit the erection of posters in certain places which might impact on the line of sight of road users. The Minister reminded candidates that they are statutorily required to show details of the person on whose behalf the posters are erected and also the printers* details on all election posters. Failure to comply with these requirements is also an offence. Any queries or complaints in respect of election postering should be directed to the relevant local authority.

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