Mr. Joseph Burke:

I can only speak about my own area. In Dublin city I am very fortunate that the local authority provides me with assistance. In the local and European elections, they had a team of people who went out at 5 a.m. on the morning of the poll and travelled around the city. They took down posters anywhere they were located. For my inspectors who attend the polling stations, their first job when they arrive is to check to see if there are any posters within 50 m. The presiding officers and the supervising officers are advised that they should check as they are entering the polling station. I am aware that quite a number of posters had to be removed. I am very grateful to the local authority for providing two teams of people. If a presiding officer or an inspector observes a poster in a position in which it should not be, this team is contacted. It is a large area to get around but they will get around to it. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Garda but I do not believe it has the resources to be getting involved in the policing of this particular issue. I have put in place my own procedure with the co-operation of the local authority. That may not be the case in other constituencies but that is certainly my practice.