To ask the Minister for Regional Development what health and safety assessments have been undertaken of the dangers posed by flags and other materials attached to lamp posts and other street furniture.

My Department’s assessment is that flags or other materials attached to lamp posts or other street furniture do not, generally, cause structural concerns. However, where such attachments interfere with the light output of the street lights or the visibility of traffic signs there would be safety implications for the travelling public. In these situations, attachments would be removed on safety grounds.

In addition, large banners attached to street lighting columns, which have not been designed for this purpose, would also cause safety concerns, due to the effect of wind loading on the structural stability of the column. In such circumstances, officials would seek to have such banners removed on safety grounds.