Councillors lift ban on erecting posters in city

Dublin city councillors have voted to revoke the ban on postering public notices and fliers in the city centre in place since the introduction of the Litter Act almost 10 years ago.

Under the 1997 Act the council refused to allow groups, including residents organisations, political campaigners and protesters, to erect notices advertising public meetings, events or issues. The ban extended to posters calling for help in locating missing persons, but not to election campaign material as long as it was re- moved after elections. However, councillors and civil liberties groups have argued that it censored free speech and contravened the 2003 European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees the right to disseminate public information.

In a motion passed by the majority of councillors from all parties, council officials have been instructed to grant written requests from parties advertising public meetings and events in the city, as long as they comply with the council's guidelines.

The applicants must supply a name and contact number or address and must comply with the provisions of the Litter Act by removing the posters within seven days of the event.

The council management has previously said it was its policy not to grant permission for such advertising, however the motion now instructs management to comply with all reasonable requests.

Independent councillor Dessie Ellis said the management had hidden behind the litter legislation for long enough. Despite the councillors' direct instruction, the council management said yesterday that it had not yet decided what if any action it would be taking on foot of the motion.