asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Stationery Office are asking for tenders for the supply of fountain-pen ink in glass bottles, and whether, in view of the fact that Irish firms will be prejudiced by the necessity for paying duty on these bottles, he will consider the advisability of allowing the ink to be supplied in some other form.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - STATIONERY OFFICE FOUNTAIN-PEN INK CONTRACTS.
As supplies of writing inks for the Public Service are confined to Irish manufacturers, in view of the sufficient and satisfactory competition within the Saorstát, the condition that fountain-pen ink should be supplied in glass bottles does not operate prejudicially against Irish firms.
If any contractor submits a satisfactory alternative to the glass bottle in which fountain-pen ink is at present supplied the Comptroller of the Stationery Office will give the matter favourable consideration.