I have received letters from people as diverse as Deputy Alan Dukes, the Leader of this House, Senator Cassidy, and members of all political parties concerning the publication of a commemorative stamp for the pioneer movement. Let me be clear from the outset — I never was a pioneer and I do not intend to become a pioneer. However, it is a fine organisation. I taught history and I know all about Fr. Matthew who set up the organisation and the fine work it did.
I tried to find suitable quotations to use in this debate and I dug up two. St. Paul wrote to Timothy saying "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake". This was echoed many centuries later by G. K. Chesterton who wrote:
And Noah he often said to his wife when he sat down to dine,
"I don't care where the water goes if it doesn't get into the wine."
Both are apt. My own tipple is wine, I do not take anything else. I find it is very good with food and conversation.
The subjects for the annual programme of special and commemorative stamps are selected by the Philatelic Advisory Committee of An Post after 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 must be finalised well before the year of issue.
Each year, on average, approximately 45 special and commemorative stamps are issued. The number of such stamps is limited with a view to preserving Ireland's excellent reputation in philatelic terms internationally. Apart from regular issues for Christmas, on a pan-European theme and for flora and fauna, subjects are chosen to commemorate important international and national anniversaries or events, and the births and deaths of prominent individuals, each of whom has made an important contribution to society in their lifetime. In all 84 suggestions were received for the 1999 programme, of which 45 were accepted.
I understand that the centenary of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was one of the many worthy suggestions put forward for inclusion in the 1999 programme but which was not selected by the philatelic committee. The membership of this committee is as follows:
Dermot Egan is chairman, formerly with AIB and then President of IMI; Raymond Keaveney, the Director of the National Gallery; Dr. Martin Mansergh, departmental adviser to the Taoiseach; June Mulcahy, a housewife; Geoffrey Megawley, President of the Irish Philatelic Society; Dámhnait Ó Maoileoin, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Jim Treacy of An Post; Maurice O'Connell, an expert philatelist; Liam Ó Reagáin, former Secretary of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs; Jean Varga, President of the Stamp Catalogue Producers; Barbara Wallace, public relations; Dr. Pat Wallace, Director of the National Museum; An Post advisers Pat Carroll and Gerry Mooney and Declan O'Leary is secretary to the committee.
The committee's terms of reference are to advise the company on philatelic matters, to select the subjects for the annual stamp programmes and to formulate the philatelic policy of the company.
In view of the fact that a significant number of representations have been made to me by Members of the Oireachtas expressing the wish to have the centenary year of the organisation marked by the issue of a special stamp, and having regard to the association's extensive membership throughout the country, I have asked An Post to reconsider its decision in that regard. I have on file all of the subjects which were put forward for inclusion, twice as many as could be fitted in. There is also the time constraint. I am aware, however, of the importance of the organisation and I have no doubt it is an honourable organisation with laudable aims and objectives.
I would like it to be made clear that the association does not "hate" drink and has no belief that drink is bad for you. Its members have chosen that path and having done so they hope to attract others to it. There is, however, no zealotry about it. It may have been born from a spirit of zealotry which was needed at the time but that intensity no longer exists within the organisation.
An Post is a semi-State body but it is no longer a matter for Dáil or Seanad Éireann to question its operational matters. I cannot interfere with the Philatelic Advisory Committee. That is not within the remit of my job and I do not intend to do it. I have requested that An Post look again at the matter in view of the number of representations made to me.
I refer again to the words of St. Paul. He was a wise man and I have always tried to follow his teachings but I understand and hold in high regard those who have espoused and followed the ideals of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association.