asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total number of the daily printing order of the Official Report, unrevised, of Dáil Debates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Official Report.
23.
There is a standing daily printing order for 1,150 copies of the unrevised Official Report of Dáil debates. If an increase in demand is expected for a particular report, an additional supply is ordered, the amount of which varies with the circumstances.
In view of the fact that there is only a relatively small printing order for the Dáil Debates, would the Minister not consider increasing the order by, say, even 500 copies? Would he consider also issuing copies free of charge to public libraries where they would be available to the public generally and would he consider, if possible, supplying copies to major national organisations?
That is a separate question.
I regret that is the only way I can ask the question. In view of the fact that the cost of printing an extra few hundred copies of the Official Report would be relatively small and would be a major public facility, may I put that to the Minister for his consideration?
As I have indicated, where an increased demand is expected for a particular report an additional supply is ordered.
Like last week?
Well, it depends on various circumstances. Sometimes particular Deputies want additional copies. On one occasion recently one Deputy wanted such a number of copies that there had to be an additional printing. That is the normal procedure. The other question raised by Deputy Desmond seems to be a question of which I would require notice.
Question No. 24.
May I ask the Minister——
I have called Question No. 24.
There has only been one supplementary on that question.
It is a matter for the Chair how many supplementaries are allowed, not for Deputy FitzGerald.
You usually allow more than one.
I do not think you like Deputy Garret FitzGerald.
However, if the Deputy wishes to put an important supplementary we will listen to it.
It is important. Will the Minister take steps to ensure that Dáil Debates are kept in print? One fully understands that it is difficult at times to anticipate the demand and sometimes the anticipation is inevitably incorrect and they go out of print. Would the Minister agree that it is undesirable that any copy of the debates should be out of print, unavailable, and would he take steps to ensure that where the requirement was underestimated there will then be a fresh printing to ensure that there are enough copies available and that they are on sale at all times?
I think I would also require notice of that question. I think it cannot be said that any particular issue of the Official Report is not available but one may not be available for public sale. That is the point the Deputy has in mind?
Quite.
There is a distinction between the two. As regards ensuring that copies of all Dáil Debates are always available for sale that is another matter and I would also require notice of that question.
Question No. 24.
In the case of the debate on education last year all copies were bought up by one university; there was none available within a couple of days and none available since. There are cases like that.