Vol. 477 No. 2
313 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will reconsider the provision of a commemorative stamp in order to celebrate the 1,400th anniversary of St. Colmcille; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/97]
The subjects for the annual stamp programme are selected by the Philatelic Advisory Committee of An Post after very wide consultation and are then approved by the board of An Post and the Government. To allow sufficient time for publicity, design and printing each annual stamp programme must be finalised well before the year of issue.
I have however, been impressed by recent representations about a stamp to commemorate St. Colmcille and I have already asked An Post, as an exceptional case, to prepare an appropriate stamp.
