FG calls for ban on election posters over high costs involved

THE six Fine Gael members on Limerick City Council have called for a ban on all political posters in the city for the upcoming European and local elections.

The six party members tabled a motion at yesterday’s council meeting and were supported by independent councillors including James Houlihan and Lily Wallace. The Labour party opposed the ban. Both Fianna Fáil councillors absented themselves from the chamber.

Former Fine Gael mayor of Limerick, Cllr Diarmuid Scully said: “The average cost of printing, erecting and properly disposing of an election poster is e12. Most candidates in the forthcoming local elections will be placing hundreds of such posters on lampposts all over our city. The total cost of posters for all candidates running for election to Limerick City Council will easily run in excess of e100,000.”

This large sum of money, he said, creates litter and the occasional obstruction of road signs.

“But the real problem is much worse. By raising the cost of local elections, posters create a barrier to participation. Their high cost forces candidates to engage in fundraising and makes candidates and parties dependent for success on private donations.

“This has a potentially corrupting influence on local politics and we would be well rid of it.

“Banning posters is good for the environment, good for road safety and good for democracy. It’s time Limerick bit the bullet and banned them.”