Arrangements for the upcoming Local and European Elections have now been set and will take place on 7th June 2024. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr. Darragh O’ Brien T.D. has clarified the time which candidates can exhibit election posters.
Candidates can only erect posters from the 8th of May 2024 which is 30 days before polling date.
It is of the utmost importance that road safety is not compromised in any way by the erection of election posters. In this regard, election posters must not be installed where they would result in unacceptably reduced sight distances for road users or where they reduce the visibility of existing road signage as such posters would be considered to be a traffic safety hazard. All candidates must also refrain from erecting election posters on the motorway and motorway overbridges, at motorway interchanges and within 70m of interchange approaches. Where it is proposed to erect election posters on infrastructure that is in the ownership of other utilities, i.e. ESB etc. there should be consultation with the relevant utility with regard to the placing of these posters.
As the Road Authority, Laois County Council may remove any election posters erected which are deemed to constitute a road safety hazard.
There is also a requirement for candidates to remove all posters including any cable ties within 7 days of the poll. Failure to comply with these conditions constitutes an offence. Any Election/Referendum posters in place before (i.e. (a) 30 days before the poll or (b) from the date the polling day order for the election has been made, whichever provides the shorter period of time) or after the stipulated timeframe are deemed to be in breach of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 and are subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150.
Section 20 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 gives local authorities powers to serve notices on occupiers of property, visible from a public place, to remove posters/advertisements, if it appears to the local authority that it is in the interests of amenity or of the environment of an area to do so.
It is also important to mention that candidates respect the wishes of the Local Tidy Towns Groups and Clean Up Groups before erecting posters.