BOTH FINE GAEL and the Labour Party have disregarded calls to ditch their election posters for this October’s presidential election – saying posters were likely to play a part in their candidates’ campaigns.
The comments come after broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh – who yesterday ruled himself out of the running for the election – called for candidates not to put up posters in the run-up to the October 27 election.
Though independent candidate Seán Gallagher said he would be willing to shun the posters for his campaign, spokespersons for Gay Mitchell and Michael D Higgins told TheJournal.ie that they would almost certainly be erecting posters.
“We intend to conduct a postering campaign,” a Labour spokeswoman said. “Posters are a traditional part of the electoral process here. They play a significant role in creating election awareness among the public.”
Fine Gael said that while it had “yet to make detailed campaign plans… it’s hard to imagine a national election without some form of postering.”
Labour added that while the Litir Um Thoghchán – the promotional letter sent to all registered voters on behalf of each candidate – was paid for by the state, it was up to each candidate’s campaign to pay for their postering campaigns.
Former Dragons’ Den investor Gallagher had called on candidates to share a communal Litir Um Thoghchán in order to save public funds.
A spokesperson for Mary Davis had not returned contact by the time of publication.
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