The Green Party has criticized Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for proceeding with plans to erect advertising billboards all over the County. The proposal is seen as a way of raising revenue for the County, but local Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe feels this is a step too far.

Deputy Cuffe stated: "The Council may be stuck for cash but I don't think that erecting dozens of billboards all over the county is the best way forward. I am angry that Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is agreeing to similar deals that have already led to Dublin City been plastered with huge ads for alcohol and cars, in some cases directly facing schools and homes.

"If the Council needs money so badly then they should look at making savings elsewhere in their budgets, rather than covering the County with ugly ads.

"I have written to the Director of Planning for the Council Kathleen Holohan formally requesting a Declaration under Section 5 of the Planning Acts to determine whether or not these signs require planning permission. I would hate to think that the public would not be given a chance to have their say on this development, and I believe that any such proposal should go through the regular planning process rather than be fast-tracked through the system.

"I understand that the Council has already signed off on a deal with Clear Channel (Ireland) Ltd that will see the erection of sixty freestanding advertising hoardings similar in size to a bus shelter ad. The Council is also in discussions with JCDecaux that may result in an addition thirty advertising hoardings that will each be the height of a double decker bus. I do not believe that this deal should go ahead."

Dún Laoghaire Green Party Councillor Gene Feighery added: "The new proposal for the JCDecaux ads will also involve the removal of trees in six different locations, and I don't believe that this makes sense. I want to see less ads and more trees in Dún Laoghaire, rather than the other way round.

"The sharp edges on some ad panels in Dublin City have been strongly criticised by charities for the blind and visually impaired. The locations of these ads can also be a danger to pedestrians by obscuring their view of oncoming traffic.

"This visual clutter is not welcome in Dun Laoghaire"