Michael Finucane
Question:20 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will commission a postage stamp to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. [24783/98]
Written Answers - Commemorative Stamps.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:22 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will issue a commemorative stamp during 1999 to honour the occasion of the centenary of the founding of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in Ireland. [24130/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 22 together.
The subjects for the annual programme of special and commemorative stamps are selected by the philatelic advisory committee of An Post after very wide consultation, and are then approved by the board of the company and by the Government. In order to allow sufficient time for design, printing and publicity, each annual stamp programme should be finalised well before the year of issue.
The centenary of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was one of many worthy suggestions put forward for inclusion in the 1999 programme, but which was not selected. However, in view of the fact that it is the centenary of the association, given its extensive membership throughout the country and the many representations which I have received on the association's behalf from the Members, I am prepared to request An Post to reconsider issuing a stamp to commemorate its anniversary.