asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the serious loss of business to printing firms in Ireland with a consequent loss of jobs as a result of the absence of any provisions for reduced postal rates for printing firms who post magazines and periodicals which they print; if he will consider introducing a special scheme of reduced postal rates for printers, similar to those operating in many other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Printing Firms Postal Rates.
801.
My Department already grant specially reduced rates of postage which printers can avail of for sending magazines and periodicals through the post in the inland and foreign services. Apart from this, the Department have for many years been operating a foreign surface bulk post service, which offers even more substantial reductions to printers. However, as this service is not allowed under the Universal Postal Union Convention to which Ireland is a signatory, and has been operated at a substantial loss, its replacement by a foreign bulk post service arranged bi-laterally with the countries concerned and on an economic basis but still offering significant discounts is now at an advanced planning stage.