Call To Ban Party Posters During Giro d'Italia

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has said he will be seeking agreement from Northern Ireland's political parties to remove election posters along the route of the Giro d'Italia bicycle race.

The Minister was responding to a question from his SDLP party leader Alisdair McDonnell.

Minister Durkan said: "The Giro d’Italia has a global audience of 775 million in 165 countries with 200 participants and up to an estimated 140,000 spectators.

"It presents a huge opportunity to showcase the excellent product that Northern Ireland has to offer, with the rich landscapes of the North Coast and Armagh being especially profiled.

"I believe there is a responsibility on us all to present the best possible picture of the North. And I believe a small step such as this by political parties would reap much greater collective benefits for the people of Northern Ireland.

"I have therefore written to all party leaders asking them for their views and co-operation on a voluntary political agreement that will ensure that, for the three days in May of the Giro d’Italia when Northern Ireland is on a global stage, there will be a poster free route.

"I look forward to their responses and am hopeful that a positive political agreement can and will be found."

Robin Swann, Ulster Unionist Party Chief Whip, said: "The Ulster Unionist Party agrees with the idea of keeping the route of the Giro d’Italia free of election posters. We will exercise a voluntary ban if all the other parties and independents agree not to erect election posters on the route until after the event has concluded.

"The Giro d’Italia is one of the world's greatest sporting events and presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland and its magnificent scenery across the world. We should put our best foot forward and this can start with all political parties agreeing to a voluntary ban."

Mr Durkan said the general practice of placing election posters on lampposts also needed to be addressed.

"The display of election posters is a cause of annoyance for many members of the public and political parties are reminded of this annoyance each and every election time," he said.

"It is an issue I am very much aware of and it is something I am willing to look at. I have been considering a review of the current legislation before this proposal and as part of that review will examine a range of options including a ban."

Under current legislation, DOE Planning writes to all political parties in advance of an election, reminding them of their statutory obligations for displaying election posters including positioning, road safety issues and subsequent removal within 14 days of the poll closing.

Under planning law no advertisement may be displayed without consent granted by the Department but exemptions exist for election posters in advance of a pending election.

The Giro d’Italia runs for three days, Friday 9 May to 11 May, in Northern Ireland.

(IT)