The National Association of Feast Street Decorations has issued wide ranging guidelines on street decorations.

It stressed that the decorations should be related to the saint/feast that is being celebrated and should respect the historic identity of the various towns and villages.

Priority should be given to squares and streets followed by processions.

Decorations near historic buildings or sites should complement those buildings.

Particular care should be taken to preserve old street decorations which have historic value.

The association said that decorations should not obstruct decorations set up by other organisations and no decorations used in band marches should be opened in front of the seat of other societies in the same locality.

The association called for formal and informal contacts with governemnt entities and the Church throughout the year and said that those involved in street decorations  should be active in church bodies including the parish pastoral council.

Residents should, as far as possible, be involved in the decoration of their streets.

Street decorations, as far as possible, should not obstruct street vendors and in case of difficulty, decisions should be taken by the civil authorities.

The association said that groups involved in street decorations should register as NGOs and seek state and EU funding, where possible. They should also ask the government to allocate them properties which had been transferred by the Church to the State under the 1993 agreement and are currently administered by the Joint Office. The purpose of that land transfer as for social purposes.

The association also urged its members to learn more about their skills and about the culture related to street decorations and feasts in general. They should also organise activities to attract more members..

The guidelines also urge organisers, where possible, to take out insurance policies and enforce health and safety measures to protect themselves and third parties.