asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why the International Cooperation Year stamps were so drab in comparison with the many colourful and artistic stamps produced by so many other countries which used the same basic design as this country; if he will ensure that in future his Department will avail themselves in a much more realistic way of a universal symbol of this kind; and if he will allow Members to inspect the draft designs for the 1916 commemorative stamps before they are printed in order to ensure that these designs are of a higher standard than the disappointing International Co-operation Year issue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - 1916 Commemoration Stamps.
184.
I do not accept the implication in the first part of the question nor do I agree that any change in the present arrangements for the selection of stamp designs is warranted. There will, of course, always be room for difference of views about stamp designs.
Am I to understand that the Minister will not agree to my suggestions that some Members of the Oireachtas might be able to see these stamps before the stencils and so on are ordered for them?
No, it would not be desirable to have another committee. We already have a stamp design committee which is a very efficient body that carries out its task very well. To have another committee to whom their selection should be submitted would not make for expedition.
Are the members of the stamp design committee all civil servants?
No, not at all.
Is the Minister aware that some countries such as Monaco make a very positive contribution to their invisible exports through the sale of stamps and that if the stamps we produce here were of top-class artistic design this could also make a contribution to our balance of payments problem?
Our stamps sell very well. Sales to philatelists are very substantial.
Has the Minister seen any draft stamps of the 1916 issue?
Yes.
I suggest that the Minister should look at them again.
These stamps were designed as a result of a competition and the decision of the stamp design committee was submitted to me and in turn submitted to the Government and we have no reason to disagree with the selection.