Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
464. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the State's two official names of Éire and Ireland will be included on postage stamps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47127/14]
View answer465. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to include the name Ireland on our postage stamps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47273/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
In common with Irish euro coins, the Seal of the President of Ireland, and a range of national symbols, Éire is used as the only name of the Irish state on postage stamps. This is partly a reflection of the very limited space that a postage stamp affords to display an appropriate design, the national designation (Éire) and a denomination (value). "Éire" is the officially designated name of the country with the UPU (Universal Postal Union) - as the identifier of stamps originating from this country. The first stamps with Éire as the country name appeared in 1922, and this name has appeared on all subsequent stamps. Although there are a small number of countries with more than one country name on their stamps, the vast majority use a single identifier.
