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SEVERAL POLITICIANS’ CAMPAIGN posters were erected illegally across the country last night prior to the general election being called today.
By law it is illegal for candidates to put up their posters on lampposts until the Dáil is dissolved and the election polling order has been signed.
Department of Environment guidance clearly states:
Posters may only be erected for a certain specified time period before an election. This time period is either (a) 30 days before the poll date or (b) from the date the polling day order for the election has been made, whichever provides the shorter period of time.
In the case of this election, part (b) applies under under section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 and the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009.
After the dissolution of the Dáil and calling of the election this morning, candidates are now permitted to put up their posters.
However, local authorities are likely to issue fines to those candidates whose posters were up before this morning’s events. Fines range between €100 and €150 per poster, with some candidates now facing thousands of euro worth of fines.
The law has been flouted by several sitting TDs, including Finance Minister Michael Noonan who is running for re-election in Limerick:
Fine Gael TD and government chief whip Paul Kehoe was also at it in Wexford:
It wasn’t just Fine Gael, Labour’s Communications Minister Alex White had his posters up early in Dublin-Rathdown:
Sinn Féin councillor Reada Cronin, who is running in Kildare North, spotted Labour whip Emmet Stagg’s posters being erected in the constituency:
But her own party was at it too with posters for Sinn Féin councillor Paul Donnelly erected in Dublin West:
Former Fianna Fáil senator Averil Power, who is running as an independent, erected her posters early in Dublin Bay North:
Fianna Fáil were also a bit early with Colm Keaveney’s posters erected in Galway East:
Meanwhile, one of the Labour candidates whose posters went up on Monday night had, as of last night, failed to take down some of her posters.
Elsewhere, Labour TD Joanna Tuffy, who is facing heavy fines from South Dublin County Council for putting up dozens of posters on Monday night, claimed on Twitter that it was a “genuine mistake”.
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It’s great when the papers advertise all the tips and tricks.
All beside their family I hope….
@darrell fahy: families I mean
@darrell fahy: with large gardens!
Can we please get back to the topic of free housing?
I am sick to my back teeth of talking about women from the waist down, Maurice McCabe and Magdalena Laundries….
Give me some David Drumm and the effects of the outcome of his case on the Quinn family.
Spice it up please Journal…..!!!!
@Gareth Cooney: And do you not think that people that suffered abuse and many had to run of the this country for the own protection from the state, police and church is not news worthy? What free house, I like many am on a housing list for 9 years with a special needs child no way of working as I am a full time carer and no way of ever getting a loan or a mortgage, I pay €84 per week to the council towards my rent on the RAS scheme but my term with my landlord is up next February and I could find myself on the street. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/local_authority_and_social_housing/rental_accommodation_scheme.html
And I would agree about David Drumm and the Quinns, I even believe they are trying to start up their business again in phase 2 of the Celtic tiger.
@Charliegrl80:
The rent paid on a RAS scheme is 10% of your income….. How are you paying €84 per week?
@joeyhem: my son and myself are on the rent
@Charliegrl80: I don’t believe you spotted any satire or sarcasm in my comment.
However, I sympathise with your circumstances and encourage you to continue to play as best you can the hand that life dealt you.
@Gareth Cooney: I did get the sarcasm but I felt it as a person that struggles daily.
We will not get a surge in accommodation building enrollment the PRTB is disbanded and bedsits are available again. The more likely development is the building of hundreds of Ballymun Towers Eastern Europe state housing.
@Tom Molloy: You have that already….Irish people having to move out of housing estates as they have been over run by foreign migrants who do’int give a dam, its just some where to stay, zero integration, while the whole area turns into a kip.
@BananaRepublic1922: and where are they moving to?
Loss of tenancy in the private rental sector or relationship breakdown may be contributing factors to people needing a home but homelessness is caused by the lack of adequate social housing. Demand outstrips supply and the government expect the private sector to fix it, instead of properly addressing the issue themselves.
This is not rocket science. The majority that exit homelessness within the 12 months don’t get social housing, makes complete sense. Why is this even news? Other than to stir things up against homeless people?
You can work hard in this country and not be able to afford a house , fact .social
Inclusion. Or stop all social inclusion including farmers
@Gerry Glynn: What does working hard have to do with it? I could work a 85 hour work week in McDonald’s flipping burgers. I don’t expect to be able to afford a home on that wage in Dublin nor should I.
@Leroy: what’s your question
As someone who is currently at risk of homelessness it is beyond ridiculous. My rental accommodation went up for sale 6 months ago & I have been searching for another property ever since to no avail. I now have 16 days to vacate as it has been sold with no where to go with my 2 children, nothing is being done to help people in my situation. I have been told by numerous people, ie local reps & council, that “we cannot help you, come back when your homeless”. There is no properties to rent & the ones available I contacted over the 6 months, I either didn’t get a call back to even view the property or told “more suitable tenants” got the rental, what is so wrong with renting a house to a responsible single lady & 2 children. I have worked for many years and paid my taxes like everyone else & I would never push for a council house but it’s crazy to ask for help or advice when your in this situation,but be told, “come back to us when your homeless”..
@Lisa Gordon: Hi Lisa, I’m sorry to hear your situation, you should touch base with some of the homeless organizations depending on what side of the country you are in thay can give you advice on what to do. I had been in a similar situation 13 weeks ago but i know you are under alot of pressure with the two kids. Stay strong and it will work out
@Homeless Express: thank you. I contacted our local focus ireland and got some help & information. It really comes down to lack of properties on the rental market. There are so many vacant houses here in my locality either abandoned or mostly up for sale. Finally got another viewing on a house which is 15/20 minutes drive from where I currently live in a small just outside of Sligo town but fingers crossed I get it. Unfortunately it is in a locality I’m not familiar with, no family or friends or a car to visit anyone or get the kiddies to school and no bus services in the area but as you said the only thing is to stay strong & work hard to secure something.. anything. And everything else can be worked on from there. It’s great to receive a positive comment from someone who has been through before. Sincerest thanks.
@Lisa Gordon: Anytime all the best you’re doing great it’s just another chapter in life and you will be proud of looking back in years to come. My advice is take anything you can for now and work out the logistics later. All the best
Stupid people spend whole life working hard to pay mortgages and homeless getting it for free. Great idea for getting free home and doing nothing.
@Paddy Power: give up work and go and live on the street then if you think it’s a better option.
@Robin Pickering: except families are not on the street are they ..
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: Main streets no, under bushes at night, pushed out of sight, so as not to hurt the eyes of the onlookers. Homeless was bad enough but hiding as well as homeless away from opinions and judgment. Free homes me arse, I’m homeless and not looking for a house because there is plenty that needs it more than me. Do me a favour. if you have such a strong opinion of the homeless go and spend a day volunteering I bet you change your mind.
@Gareth Cooney: Ouch! Waiting for the onslaught! And you have a point tbh.
@Margate: indeed but I think I might have recovered slightly with my response to the big one.
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