John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 372: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has made a policy decision in relation to the use of posters on behalf of candidates in the forthcoming local and European elections; if so, the policy; if he has made a decision in relation to the amount of spend by candidates and political parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5552/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

In relation to spending limits, I recently announced that all candidates standing in the local elections to be held on 5 June 2009 will be subject to limits on election expenditure. For the 34 County and City Councils, a sliding scale with four separate spending limits, based on the population within each individual electoral area, will apply. A top limit of €15,000 will apply in the most populated areas, with limits of €13,000, €11,500 and €9,750 to apply to candidates in other county and city council electoral areas, depending on their population. A standard spending limit will apply to all 80 of the borough and town councils. Candidates standing for election to these local authorities will be subject to a spending limit of €7,500 in all cases. I will shortly publish a Bill to give effect to these spending limits, which will be in force for the local elections.