James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce legislation to compel election candidates to remove plastic ties that hold election posters in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45554/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009, provides that election posters must be taken down within 7 days of an election taking place.  Prior to each general election, my Department writes to all participating political parties to remind them of their obligations under the Litter Pollution Acts, and requesting them to remove both the posters and the cable ties used to attach them within the statutory timeframe. Should this requirement not be met, there is deemed to be a breach of the legislation and those responsible may be subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150. Under the Acts, the primary responsibility for the management and enforcement response to littering, including oversight of the removal of election posters and cable ties within the statutory timeframe, rests with the the local authorities.