Candidates defend early erection of general election posters
Taoiseach Simon Harris had posters put up in Cork city on Thursday.
General election candidates have defended the early erection of election posters in breach of the rules.
While there has been speculation for weeks about the November 29 election date, it is technically not set until the Local Government Minister signs a writ.
The Litter Pollution Act 1997 provides that erection of posters is only permitted from the date the order is made by the minister appointing the polling day, or 30 days prior to the date of the poll, whichever is the shorter period.
But dozens of election posters appeared on poles across the country on Thursday night, before the order was signed.
In Cork, former Lord Mayor Mick Finn, an Independent candidate in Cork South Central, said the Taoiseach had posters up in the city since Thursday, and had told the nation on Wednesday that the election would be held in November and that the Dáil would be dissolved on Friday.
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“The rules suggest the posters can go up if polling day is less than 30 days away,” he said.
“We commenced erecting posters early into Friday morning on that basis, 21 days out from polling.
"Once the established parties started postering, I had to make my presence felt.
“I cannot pay companies to put up posters during the day so I followed others in starting late on Thursday evening."
Labour Cllr Laura Harmon, who is also a candidate in Cork South Central, said the “dilly dallying” around calling the election before the signing of the ministerial order created a unique situation where, from her understanding, when the minister signs the order, the posters can be erected from the previous midnight.
“I have utmost respect for the voters of Cork South Central and as a new Dáil candidate, I am keen to meet as many people between now and polling day as possible. I am grateful to my team of eager volunteers who have been putting up posters in the rain and wind,” she said.
Fine Gael and Sinn FĂ©in posters were also visible on Thursday.
A spokesman for Sinn Féin said: “There are posters of the Taoiseach all over Cork City since Thursday. Simon Harris and Micheál Martin blew the starting whistle on this election by declaring the election and Dáil dissolution dates.”
The legislation requires that posters must be removed within seven days of polling day. Anyone in breach could face fines of up to €150 per poster.
Meanwhile, ESB Networks has reminded all groups and parties that the erection of candidate posters on electricity poles is strictly prohibited and poses a serious safety risk to members of the public as well as ESB Networks staff and contractors.
ESB Networks’ wires and equipment are always live, and posters attached to poles have previously caused poles to catch fire and fall.
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