asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the introduction of new telephone account statement forms and the cost thereof; whether they were manufactured and printed in Ireland; and if he will have a more legible form provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Account Forms.
47.
Mr. Ryan
The new telephone account statement forms are part of a mechanised telephone accounting system designed to increase efficiency, and to reduce costs. A year's supply costs approximately £1,000. The forms are not manufactured or printed in Ireland. Subscribers generally appear to have found the statements sufficiently legible and adjustments now being made in the processing will further improve legibility.
Mr. Ryan
Will the Minister ensure that in future the forms will be printed in Ireland and will not bear the name of a private commercial firm?
I cannot ensure that they will be printed in Ireland because this is part of a process. The equipment is rented and the forms are part and parcel of the equipment, as the Deputy should know. As far as the other matter which he raises is concerned, I shall have it looked into.
Does this involve a saving?
Mr. Ryan
Does this mean that the Minister is replacing Irish manufactured paper and Irish printers' work with that of a foreign concern?
There are other considerations in the matter also.
Mr. Ryan
I should be very interested to know them.
There is an immediate saving of £5,000 a year in the collection of the accounts.
That does not matter to Deputy Ryan.
Mr. Ryan
The Tánaiste should behave himself.