Freedom of speech could be jeopardised by new anti flyer bylaws.

Run_to_da_hills

New anti litter by laws were introduced on January 2nd 2009 could be a treat to our freedom of speech.

"Those who want to distribute free promotional material will have to apply for a license, which costs €250 per event".

Failure to comply could invoke fines of up to €19,000 by Dublin County Council. .

The aim of this bylaw is to clean up the capital but its implications could have an effect on those whose "branded" litter ends up on the streets, such as political awareness flyers, Gospel hand outs and retail promotions.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0109/litter.html

During the 2008 Lisbon treaty campaign concerned citizens handing out flyers were harassed by Dublin City Council. With no flyer law the council workers did try to make people stop informing others with non-authorized information by saying they were littering, it did not work with informed individuals who knew the law.

What tyranny now awaits people during the Lisbon II campaign and other campaigns that aims to protect others?

They can do nothing if thousands of people stand together, young and old. However if we comprise by accepting a low price license payment with long term periods to handout flyers it means the State has gotten one step towards the goal of completely blacking out unauthorised information instead of three steps straight away.

Give them an inch and before you know it they’ll take a mile.

P. Breathnach

Freedom of speech does not include freedom to cause litter.

Just about any place you see flyers handed out, you find flyers littering the area. I wonder if anybody ever reads them.