Calls for a 'poster free' election

Calls for a ‘ poster-free’ election have been extended locally as the local and European elections loom.

Fermoy town has for many years, been recognised as a poster-free zone and speaking this week, community activist, Tadhg O’Donovan, said that he is confident the tradition will continue.

“With Fermoy town acknowledged for many years as a poster-free zone, I am confident as we face into local elections that politicians of all sides will continue to observe this proud tradition,” Mr O’Donovan said.

In contrast, of late, the practice of plastering pamphlets onto the outside of vacant properties both commercial and private has become widespread.

According to Cork County Council, the law forbids the putting up of posters and signs on poles or on other structures in public places unless you have the written permission of the owner in advance,

Local activist, Mr O’Donovan, said that such behaviour is ‘inexcusable’ and ‘represents a serious environmental threat to the image of our town’.

He went on to appeal to those responsible to refrain from this activity and said the objectives of those seeking publicity could be secured in a positive fashion by simply seeking the cooperation of businesses locally to display any such pamphlets inside the shopfront windows.

“Any group or individual seeking public support in Fermoy will never achieve their aims while indulging in the practice of smearing the image of our town,” he added.

'POSTER-FREE ZONE' - MIXED VIEWS IN WATERFORD

Election posters were also a hot topic at Monday’s meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore MD, as Cllr Pratt raised the suggestion of making the Lismore Electoral Area a ‘poster-free zone’ as it was the last time local elections were held.

“Last local elections, we were contacted by nearly all the Tidy Towns in the Lismore Electoral Area regarding posters and it actually was one of the few poster-free areas at that time.

“In fairness, it worked fairly well in the area and nobody put up posters at the time. I’m putting it out there again if it something that we should consider or not, going forward,” Cllr Pratt said.

Councillors Declan Doocey, Seamus O’Donnell and Damien Geoghegan all supported the campaign. However, Cllr Conor D McGuinness expressed concern for newer candidates needing to build a profile.

“There is the provision there in law and it is something that is administered by the department of Local Government. If areas were to provide centralised areas where posters could be put, I think that would be fair, but we have to acknowledge as well that we’re incumbent to our newer candidates where they need to build a profile,” Cllr McGuinness said.

The senior executive officer with Waterford City and County Council confirmed that the council cannot impose for or against the erection of posters.