asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make arrangements for the issue of a stamp during the present year to mark the golden jubilee of the founding of Na Fianna in August, 1909.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Na Fianna Golden Jubilee Stamp.
39.
Sympathetic consideration has been given to the suggestion referred to in the Deputy's question but I regret that it will not be possible to adopt the suggestion.
I should explain that—while there have been some exceptions as for example in the case of the Rising of Easter Week—the centenary of an event is normally the earliest anniversary that is marked by the issue of a special commemorative postage stamp by our postal administration.
The Minister has admitted in his reply that there is a precedent for issuing such a stamp, and, in regard to the important influence which Na Fianna had on the whole national movement over the past 50 years, would he not be prepared to reconsider his decision?
It is settled policy to restrict the number of stamp issues, and, with very rare exceptions, stamps commemorating past events are not issued earlier than the centenary year of the event they are to commemorate. To depart from that policy would, and surely the Deputy will agree, evoke numerous other demands for golden jubilee stamps which could not be met because of the limited stamp production resources available.
Would every request not be examined on its merits? After all, it is only 21 years since the Constitution was established and we have issued a commemoration stamp for the Constitution.