Vol. 479 No. 2
42 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the number of copies of Communicating Europe: Progress and Achievements 1996 which have been published; the cost of producing these; the persons to whom they were distributed; if any copies were received by residents in any part of Dublin; the number of such copies and the cost; if any other documents in this initiative were similarly distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12435/97]
Communicating Europe is the Government's initiative to heighten public awareness of the European Union. The Communicating Europe Task Force report was published in February 1995. Mr. Gay Mitchell, TD, Minister for European Affairs chairs the Implementation Task Force which comprises representatives from various Government Departments, the European Commission and European Parliament offices in Ireland, the European Movement and the Institute of European Affairs.
Communicating Europe Progress and Achievements 1996 was published in April 1997; 4,200 copies were printed at a cost of £1,465.80. Copies were distributed to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas, the media, secondary schools, public libraries and a variety of organisations and individuals. It is also available to the public through the European Peoples Information Centre and on request from the Government Information Services. Copies may also be obtained by writing to the Secretary, Communicating Europe, Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin 2.
In May 1996 members of the public interested in receiving information on the European Union were invited to join a mailing list. This was done through an advertisement placed in national and local newspapers. The advertisement was placed by the Communicating Europe Initiative and the European Commission Representation in Ireland. Over 2,300 individuals and organisations responded nationwide and receive regular information on the European Union. Communicating Europe Progress and Achievements 1996 has been circulated to people and organisations on the mailing list.
Other information booklets produced through the Communicating Europe Initiative have been distributed in a similar fashion.
