asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he has yet completed consideration of the proposal to instal automatic vending machines for the sale of books of stamps at suitable post offices; if so, with what result; and when and where such machines will be installed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stamp Vending Machines.
33.
It has not been possible to obtain a vending machine which would dispense books of stamps in their present form without operating difficulties. The question of modifying the format of the books to avoid these difficulties is, therefore, having attention. I am not in a position to state when or where such machines will be installed. Initially, some will be tried out at the largest Dublin offices.
Having regard to the fact that the Minister passes very frequently through Northern Ireland, unlike his predecessor, has he seen these machines working efficiently and effectively across the Border, and can he say what are the different geographical, architectural and engineering circumstances that make it impossible for our antiquated Department of Posts and Telegraphs to instal these machines which they are being pressed to instal for the past decade?
It is a question of the format of the stamp book we are using. The machines are not designed to meet the requirements of each country in regard to the type and size of the stamp book. We must produce a stamp book to suit the machine and this is actually being tried out at the moment. The machines must give 100 per cent efficiency in dispensing the stamp book before we attempt to instal it.
That is more than can be said for the present machines which sell the stamps instead of the books.
These machines will be good.
I hope that is on the record.