Mid-Louth Councillor John Sheridan has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Rural and Community Development that local Tidy Towns groups will not be penalised in this year’s competition due to election posters being erected.
Cllr Sheridan said: “Local Tidy Towns groups do excellent work and I know there was a concern that election posters this June would interfere with the Tidy Towns competition judging periods and cost groups marks during adjudication.
“I know Louth Tidy Towns Together have asked all candidates to agree to a voluntary code of not putting posters up within villages and I know many, including me, have adhered to that code in previous elections and hopefully will continue to do so this year.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development oversee the Tidy Towns competition as well as recruit and pay the adjudicators. In response to a parliamentary question last week Minister Heather Humphreys said:
“In the event that the adjudication period coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters and/or cable ties may be displayed within the timeframe specified under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended. An adjudicator may comment in their final adjudication report if election posters and/or cable ties are still on display after the allowed timeframe, but it is not expected that marks are deducted as a result.”
Councillor Sheridan commented “This is very welcome news from the Minister. Election posters are important parts of democracy and I’ve always said that they were essential to getting elected as a first time candidate. It’s imperative that all parties and candidates ensure posters are taken down within the legal limit of seven days after an election and most importantly that the plastic cable ties are removed also.”
“I welcome the clarity this gives Louth Tidy Towns Together before the start of the campaigns for the Local and European Elections on June 7.”
