Pat Kenny mentioned on his radio show yesterday (Wed, 26th) that politicians were breaking the law by erecting election posters too early.
I rang the Dept. of the Environment to check out the situation.
An official guided me to the relevant section of the Act.
Posters are now only allowed to 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 (or equivalent) for the election has been completed, whichever provides the shorter period of time.
The official wasn’t too sure of the interpretation of this section and promised to get an expert to ring me back, I’m still waiting.
Personally, I think it confirms that the law is being broken. The only election date confirmed so far is 11th March and, according to the official, no polling day order has been completed.
Here in Cobh there are posters up all over the place but I’ll bet nobody will be prosecuted.
The matter may seem trivial but is actually a good indicator of how little things have changed in Ireland.
A group of citizens (allegedly) break the law in plain view of law enforcement agencies and (most likely) no action will be taken.
It’s still the same old wink, wink, nod, nod, culture.