Tidy Towns asked to delay judging as election posters will ‘interfere’ with process

But TDs were told there would be an instruction to examiners to visualise villages and towns without the unsightly electioneering, and to see beyond the clamouring candidates.

Cork East Labour TD Seán Sherlock asked if it was possible “to ask the national judging committee of the Tidy Towns to allow for judging to take place a little bit later than normal given the existence of posters”.

Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys said posters erected “within the allowed timeframe” under the Litter Act would not be officially 'seen' by scorers for the Tidy Towes.

“My department has advised the panel of adjudicators that it should not impact on any Tidy Towns scoring,” she said.

But she took aim at any plastic cable ties that might be left behind on street furniture after election posters have been taken down in the wake of the June 7 local and European elections.

It was vital they were removed, because “those ties are a torture for the Tidy Towns, I can tell you”.

Posters for the elections went erected on Tuesday this week -- although some went up earlier than legally allowed in order to get the best perches.

All must be removed, including the cable ties, within two weeks of election day.

“In the event the adjudication period coincides with an election, judges are aware that election posters may be displayed in towns and villages entered in the SuperValu tidy towns competition,” Ms Humphreys said.

Those making the assessment of beauty, cleanliness and neateness were “highly skilled and competent," she said. The Department trusted them to carry out their work in the usual diligent manner, and had no role itself in the formal adjudication of competition entries, she said.

Adjudication for the Tidy Towns - which is understood to have attracted hundreds of entries under various categories by closing day yesterday -- typically takes a month later. It will takeplace from the beginning of June, when election posters will festoon around 900 towns and villages.

Mr Sherlock said the minister's response "will give comfort to Tidy Towns committees”.

He pointed out that in some towns there are voluntary codes or arrangements whereby posters are banned. The instruction to ignore posters would level the playing field.

Mr Sherlock mentioned that there was a posters ban in his own towns of Mallow, Co Cork.

Mr Humphreys appeared to agree, saying: “Personally I wouldn’t lose any sleep if a poster was never put up.

"But at the same time I recognise that a first time candidate would want to get their face out there.

"So I can see why they’re needed, and it is part of our democratic process."