asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the misspelling of the word "Eire" on the Moore centenary twopence halfpenny postage stamp just issued; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to have this error rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Moore Centenary Stamps.
The omission of the accent in "Eire" which I assume is what the Deputy has in mind was deliberate in the interests of artistic balance in the stamp itself and in accordance with a common practice in the printing of Irish in Roman letters for display purposes.
What is the precedent for spelling the name of the country as it is spelt on the Moore commemoration stamp?
The Deputy will find, for example, that in a well-known newspaper printed in Irish the same precedent has been adopted. He will find that on to-day's Order Paper there is a similar example.
So these are to be the precedents for our future stamps.
I did not say that. It is for this particular stamp. The precedent can be found in circles well acquainted with the language.
Is the Minister aware of the definition of the word "Eire" in Irish dictionaries?
I am so aware.