Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the person who is responsible for regulating advertising campaigns that have no commercial element, such as religious or political advertising, which does not fall under the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32731/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The matter of advertising on billboards does not come within the remit of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and I have no function in the matter. I am aware that the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland exists as a non-statutory self-regulatory body, independent of Government and set up and financed by the advertising industry. I am informed that certain marketing communications that do not have any commercial element do not come within the remit of the Code of Standards for Advertising, Promotional and Direct Marketing drawn up by the ASAI. I am not aware that any Department of State or public body has a role in regulating such 'non-commercial' advertising campaigns. The general civil and criminal law in relation to publication would of course be applicable.