Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

The Minister is wasting his time on this matter. It is playing up to some kind of prim political correctness. It is pandering to people who treat democracy and elections as if they are some kind of untidy intrusion on their lives. Deputies McGrath and Ciarán Lynch are correct. Postering is a cheap way to promote democracy. It is fine for those who can afford to pay for billboards and bus shelters. However, restricting the number of posters will impact most on people with the least money to spend on elections — smaller parties and Independents. I do not know why the Minister is spending time on this and going to the trouble of having pilot schemes. We put up posters for the duration of the election campaign and then ensure we take them down.

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