Dublin councillors defend leaflet drops during 'stay-at-home' Covid guidelines

The leaflet, which include Mr Lawlor's picture, as well a picture of TD for the area, Colm Brophy, and MEP Frances Fitzgerald, highlights social welfare supports available for families and pensioners. 

A Fine Gael county councillor defended the leaflet drop during the Covid-19 level 5 lockdown despite the concerns of some residents in Firhouse–Bohernabreena. 

Fine Gael and Labour councillors have defended dropping leaflets to constituents doors during level five lockdown. Brian Lawlor, who represents Firhouse – Bohernabreena for Fine Gael on South Dublin County Council dropped a number of leaflets into letterboxes on Sunday, despite government advice to stay home unless for essential reasons or exercise.

When approached by the Irish Examiner, Mr Lawlor said that he had been given the go-ahead to drop the leaflets by hand by Fine Gael's head office.

"Lots of people are dropping leaflets," he said.

I went out dropping leaflets with my two sons, I got the okay with headquarters, they said to wear a mask and gloves and we had spray with us, so they were okay with it.

The leaflets, which include Mr Lawlor's picture, as well a picture of TD for the area Colm Brophy and MEP Frances Fitzgerald, highlight the current social welfare supports available for families and pensioners. 

It's understood the party believe the leaflet drops are no different to that of a delivery person calling to a home and should be no risk if the members abided by the guidelines.

Likewise, Labour councillor Peter O'Brien, who also distributed leaflets around his area said that public representatives are still key workers and outreach is part of their role.

"I went out on my own and wore a face mask, I didn't engage with anyone," he said, pointing out An Post are still delivering to people's doors.

"I adhered to all government guidelines, I wouldn't put myself in danger or anyone else, I deliver to the area that I need to communicate with, it's very much a solo effort, I'm just doing my job."

Mr O'Brien said he did not clear the matter with his own party HQ before going out to distribute leaflets.

A resident of Castlefield Lawn, Knocklyon told the Irish Examiner: "Myself and my family found it to be a bit inappropriate and strange to receive a hand-delivered leaflet from a local Fine Gael Councillor into our porch this morning. 

We were a bit frustrated that the councillor had people out delivering these to doors and we don't remember having received any leaflets like it since the start of the pandemic. 

"It was strange as we haven't had anything come through the door since the election so I assumed politicians had just thought the better of it.

"I don't know whether anybody would consider it appropriate to be doing leaflet drops at the moment."

A Fine Gael spokesperson told the Examiner: "Politicians from various political parties are continuing to keep their constituents informed on issues of public interest, including through the distribution of leaflets and circulars. 

"Fine Gael has issued very clear advice to our public representatives to ensure that if delivering the material themselves, they must wear a mask, keep a 2m distance and ensure they do not visit any homes. All canvassing is prohibited also.”