IRELAND’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION campaign may be fought without posters, as independent candidate Sean Gallagher backed calls from former broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh to avoid posters for the campaign.
Ó Muircheartaigh – who this morning officially ruled out seeking an independent nomination for the Presidency – told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he would have advocated a no-poster campaign if he were to take part.
This lunchtime Seán Gallagher – who will appear on the ballot paper after securing the support of five county councils – said he supported the call, and called on other candidates to enter a pact which would see them agree not to use it.
“Two weeks ago I called on other candidates, and those thinking of running, to agree to a pact not to erect posters,” Gallagher said in a statement. “Sadly, the silence from other candidates was deafening.”
Gallagher said he saw “great merit” in the idea, explaining that in the modern day, “there are many outlets in which we can communicate our message without plastering unsightly posters on every telegraph pole in our cities, towns and rural areas.”
The former Dragon’s Den investor has also previously called on candidates to issue a joint election leaflet, as opposed to individual mailouts, which he said could save up to €10m of public funds.
“I am hopeful ultimately for agreement among candidates in the coming week on this issue,” he said.
Spokespersons for the three other confirmed candidates in the election – Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, Labour’s Michael D Higgins and independent candidate Mary Davis – had not responded to the calls by the time of publication.
Candidates in October’s election will be allowed to spend a maximum of €750,000 on their election campaigns this year – down from over €1m under previous legislation.
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