Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

They probably were, but it has occurred across the board and it happened to me as recently as the last referendum. At that time a poster was repeatedly re-erected in a particular part of the constituency. It causes annoyance and I am unsure what can be done. It is very difficult for us to do anything in that regard. Rather than the council coming down hard on candidates, it may be possible to have some provision in practice to allow candidates a number of hours to remove posters if they are spotted instead of simply issuing fines immediately. This would give a chance to people to take down posters. Deputy Niall Collins made that suggestion. He was a victim of such a situation and he is in the House now.

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