Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision will be made regarding the use of posters during election or referenda campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4390/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have recently informed the Government that on foot of the public consultation in autumn 2008, on election postering, I intend to initiate pilot schemes in a number of local authority areas during the upcoming local and European elections.

These pilot schemes will investigate how four options identified through the consultation process would work in practice. The pilot schemes will test the use of biodegradable and/or colour coded plastic ties; the display of posters in designated areas only; restricting the total number of posters per candidate; restricting the number of posters per candidate to 2 (back to back) per pole.

Details on participating local authorities will shortly be finalised and the specific detail of the pilot schemes will be agreed on an individual basis with each of the local authorities involved. It is my intention to ask all candidates, local and European, in each of the participating areas to participate in the scheme so that it is as comprehensive and representative as possible.

I am also reviewing the litter legislation to ensure there is absolutely no doubt that posters cannot be erected before an election has been called, and I will bring forward an amendment if necessary.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision will be made regarding the revision of spending limits for candidates during elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4391/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Preparatory work to introduce spending limits for candidates at local elections is now at an advanced stage, and I expect to publish a Bill shortly. I intend to have the limits in place for the local elections to be held in June 2009.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine spending limits at local elections as part of the Green Paper on Local Government. Submissions made in the course of preparing the Green Paper, published in April 2008, were generally supportive of some kind of expenditure limit.

In October 2008, I consulted the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the issue of spending limits. A policy research document prepared on behalf of the Committee and presented at that meeting offered useful practical guidance. There are a number of complexities that need to be considered. I discussed these with members of the Committee, and I have taken them into account in the preparation of the scheme of spending limits.