Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the problem of poster ties being left on poles when posters have been removed after elections and referenda; his views on the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43752/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the problem caused by the non-removal of cable ties following elections and referenda. My Department held a public consultation in autumn 2008 regarding the control of postering for elections and referenda. There were 117 submissions made, containing a variety of recommendations, including measures to tackle the cable tie issue. On foot of this consultation, a number of local authorities pilot - tested several of the recommendations during the local and European elections this year, in order to assess the practical issues involved with their implementation.

Following on from this, a number of measures which could address the non-removal of cable ties are now being actively considered by my Department, including the colour coding of cable ties, the use of biodegradable cable ties and a requirement to have the names of candidates printed on the cable ties. The outcome of this assessment will inform any future policy development in this area.