Politicians circumspect about ban on posters and cable ties

POLITICIANS at last week’s Clondalkin Council meeting were circumspect about a ban on election posters as they feel this would favour incumbents.

In outlining his motion to the meeting the Chair, Councillor Francis Timmons (Ind), said that Clondalkin Tidy Towns and Newcastle Tidy Towns would prefer if posters were not put up for the Local and European elections and referendum for June 7 “around the village area.”

He added that he was sure the tidy towns groups would send out the exact locations. “Main St in Newcastle is one of them and just up to, I think it’s the traffic lights as you enter Newcastle, there’s still quite a wide area where people can put up posters,” he said.

Cllr Timmons added that such a ban would be voluntary. “Nothing can be done if a poster went up, the Council can’t take it down,” he said.

Cllr Eoin Ó Broin (Soc Dems) said that there needs to be a move towards a situation where there are “designated poster sites, a couple of them around the town where everyone puts one poster each.”

Cllr William Carey (SF) agreed with the idea of two or three locations where there would be “a large public noticeboard capable of taking posters and visual of all of the candidates, either in the village or on the surrounds of the village such as the Mill Shopping centre.”

He agreed a poster ban would suit the incumbents, such as the sitting councillors, whereas “new candidates need to . . . be seen out there.”

He expanded further on his concerns. “I have reservations about this. Generally, we take them [the posters] down and respect the limits that we are asked to do in the Clondalkin area – we take them down within the seven days. I’m happy to support . . . but I think we . . . need to be aware of what we are doing here,” he said.

However, Cllr Carey also remarked that the tradition of posters is a marker for the public for when the elections are taking place and that they also bring awareness.

“We are seriously in danger of being ignored by the public because there is a lot of apathy towards politicians and towards politics in general . . . and I think it’s important that we are seen to get that message out,” he said.

Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) called on Clondalkin Tidy Towns to re-issue their map so that councillors do not put up posters by mistake in the poster-free area.

Cllr Timmons said he would put in that request with Clondalkin Tidy Towns.

In reply for the Council, Sharon Conroy, Senior Executive Officer, Environment and Public Realm, said that “the Litter Pollution Act sets out the timeframes that you can erect those posters and the timeframe in which they need to come down after the election, which is seven days after the polling date”. Candidates can put up posters from May 8 which is 30 days prior to the June elections and referendum.

“We in Environment and Enforcement will look at fixed penalty notices if we see they are [the posters] there seven days after. We’ll give you a reminder yourselves and others just before that. We will make sure that all councillors are reminded of those timeframes,” she said.

Cllr Carey had a further query regarding candidates or individuals who are putting up public notices for public meetings that they are holding. “Are they subject to the same [rules] or are there specific rules around that?” he  asked.

Ms Conroy replied that there are slightly different rules around posters and certain meetings. “But our litter wardens are actively looking and watching because we have had a number of complaints over the last few months on that particular issue and so we are keeping a good eye on it,” she said.

Cllr Timmons also said that the Tidy Towns asked that everyone using posters to remove cable ties “because there is a significant amount of cable ties that are left on the poles after the election and the tidy towns and the council ends up having to remove them.”

Cllr Gilligan added that when he has taken down his own cable ties that there have also been cable ties from previous elections.

“I’m happy to give a commitment to take down other cable ties, even if they are not mine or if they are there beforehand . . . Possibly in five, ten years’ time there will be no cable ties left on the poles,” he said.

Cllr Timmons quipped that “there’s always the option of going poster free” which drew laughter from the chamber.

“Cable ties are one-use plastic,” he added.

Cllr Timmons’ motion was agreed to by the other Councillors at the meeting.