Legal advice sought on MEP's road signs

The National Roads Authority has said it is to take legal advice on whether electronic election signs on behalf of Avril Doyle MEP should be taken down.

The authority, which last week conveyed its views to Ms Doyle's election agents, is of the opinion that the "electronic telematic" signs "cross the line in terms of what is acceptable" under electoral legislation.

The authority said it viewed the signs as being too close in style to its own signs, which were used to warn motorists of oncoming dangers and vital road safety information. NRA spokesman Mr Michael Egan said there was also "a possible road safety issue in the position of the signs".

The electronic signs, exhorting motorists to vote for Ms Doyle in the forthcoming European Parliament elections, have been placed at strategic locations throughout the East constituency, formerly Leinster.

Ms Doyle, who was not available for comment yesterday, previously told The Irish Times that "about a dozen" signs had been hired and had received a very positive response.

She said the siting of the signs had been cleared with local gardaí and planning authorities by the Tipperary-based company responsible for the contract.

"I specifically made it clear that all of that should be sorted out. Of course, if anybody does have a problem with the locations chosen, of if they are improperly placed, we can move them, but they are a very reputable company and it was checked," she said last week.

However, Mr Egan said yesterday that the National Roads Authority's permission had "certainly not" been granted for the signs.

Mr Egan acknowledged that the NRA itself had used similar signs, if not the same ones, but maintained it would have been for "vital road safety messages".

He said: "I think they may have crossed the line on what is acceptable on this one. The normal interpretation of what is election material would not usually include signs of this nature." He said the NRA would "certainly be following up on this".