asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will, as a matter of urgency, have postage stamp vending machines installed on the exterior walls of all main post offices as is done in all other member states of the European Community and, if not, why.
Written Answers. - Stamp Vending Machines.
339.
Stamp vending machines are normally provided outside all main departmentally-staffed Post Offices—for example, all head and district post offices, branch post offices and the busier district delivery offices in Dublin. There has, however, been considerable trouble with the maintenance of these machines; the mechanism is delicate and the machines are vulnerable to vandalism. Maintenance arrangements are currently being reviewed with a view to improving the general standard of performance of the machines. There are no plans at present for extending the use of these machines, but this aspect will be kept under review in the light of progress with maintenance arrangements.