Candidates must take election posters down or pay fines
When Can #ElectionPosters Be Put Up?
Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, candidates can only put up posters 30 days before polling day.
With polling day only 24 days from today, candidates can climb up ladders every day until Friday 7 February.
Where Can Posters Be Placed?
A good rule here; don’t block road users.
Under the Road Traffic Acts, election posters can’t be placed on road signs, at traffic junctions or on roundabouts.
According to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, candidates erecting posters “should exercise extreme caution when on or near roadways and should be aware of their own and other road users physical safety.”
Dublin City Council recently told TheJournal.ie its most common complaints regarding election posters.
The Council identifies the main issues as:
Posters obscuring visibility of traffic-pedestrian signals and traffic signs.
Posters below head height or resting on the ground which can cause obstructions on footpaths and particularly hazardous to the visually impaired.
Protruding cable ties that are at a level that could cause injury to pedestrians, particularly children.
Under regulations, posters should be placed 2.3 metres above foot and cycle paths.
Posters must not be placed on:
Lampposts with overhead electricity lines.
Traffic lights.
Bridge parapets.
Overpasses.
Pedestrian bridges.
Roadside barriers.
And they must be secured tightly with cable ties, the Council said.
Can Posters Be Removed And By Whom?
In 2014, “things got crazy” when then-Independent candidate in the Local Election Social Democrat Councillor Gary Gannon confronted Independent Councillor Mel Mac Giobúin.
Mac Giobúin removed one of Gannon’s posters after he claimed a cable tie had come loose and was blocking his own poster.
“It’s really disturbing and really sad,” Gannon told TheJournal.ie at the time.
“I’ve had my whole family going around for about 15 hours putting up posters and I’ve lost more than 20 so far. I spent upwards of €1,700 euro which is a lot for an Independent candidate.”
Such incidents are not uncommon during election cycles.
However, it’s up to Local Authorities to remove posters “if it appears…that it is in the interests of amenity or of the environment of an area to do so,” according to the Department.
Local Authorities enforce the Litter Act so Local Authorities enforce the rules regarding election posters.
Complaints from members of the public should, therefore, be directed to your Local Authority.
What is the Relevant Legislation?
Litter Pollution Act 1997, amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009
Protection of the Environment Act 2003
Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2013
European Parliament Elections Act 1997
Local Elections Regulations 1995
Referendum Act 1994
Electoral Act 1992
Road Traffic Act 1961
Where can I find further information?
Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
Franchise Section
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 2424.
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Environment Policy Division
Phone: +353 (0)1 6782240
