asked the Minister for Local Government how many copies of the Return of Local Taxation, 1959, were printed; and how many copies have been circulated to (1) Members of the Dáil and (2) Senators.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Return of Local Taxation, 1959.
29.
350 copies of the Returns of Local Taxation for the year ended 31st March, 1959, were printed. Copies of these Returns were not circulated to Deputies or Senators, but in accordance with the usual custom, three copies were presented to each House of the Oireachtas.
Is the Minister aware that copies of this publication are not now available from the Stationery Office?
I doubt if the Stationery Office at any time would have had copies of this publication.
Would the Minister kindly tell me where it would be possible for me to get a copy if the Stationery Office has not gone one?
Provided every other Deputy does not want one, I think I could undertake to get a copy for the Deputy.
Could the Minister send me one?
Yes.
In view of the great and growing importance of the publication, as indicated by its contents in the last couple of years, will the Minister say whether additional copies of the current issue will be printed? The Minister understands that it is a very important publication.
The numbers printed follow the pattern of what has been made available in years past. Until the question was asked, no indication has been forthcoming from the members of the Oireachtas or the public generally that there was any demand for additional copies. Unless and until that demand emerges it would possibly be wasteful to print further copies.
If the Minister will examine the matter I am sure he will understand that the trend indicated by the graphs and figures in the publication has not been following the usual pattern of development and in view of the growing importance of the matters dealt with in the Returns of Local Taxation, if the type has not been scattered, would the Minister seriously consider getting additional copies made? I know Deputies who have been in the habit of making use of a second copy and who have not been able to get a second copy.
I will have a look at that. In the meantime I would again say that in accordance with the usual custom three copies were presented to each House of the Oireachtas and they must be somewhere around. If there is anybody who is really interested, I will try to make a copy available to him. This interest is very edifying and we will see what we can do about it.