asked the Minister for Finance if, with a view to increasing national productivity in offices and clerical work in both the public and private sectors, he will call together a conference of senior civil servants, professional and vocational associations and stationery manufacturers for the purpose of achieving uniform standards in the size, colour, lay-out and quality of stationery and forms in general use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stationery Standards.
7.
Mr. Ryan
I am not satisfied that national productivity would be increased by the calling together of a conference of the kind indicated by the Deputy.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware that many Government Departments issue different types of forms with different colours and different quality paper and that in this day and age of photographic equipment, which many offices use to make copies, this creates a tremendous amount of difficulty in requiring varying exposures and different quality paper? Is the Minister further aware that a great deal of human effort is wasted by reason of the difference in the size of stationery——
The Deputy is making an argument.
Mr. Ryan
I am not; I am just asking the Minister is he aware of the gravity of the situation.
And putting forward a series of arguments.
Mr. Ryan
Far from it. I am not the argumentative type. Would the Minister have this matter considered at an early date by the economics section of his Department in view of the colossal waste of effort?
In answer to the Deputy, and without argument, I am aware.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister try to do something about it?
Steps have been taken in some directions.