James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason for the error in the State diary 2008 which has resulted in the month of May being recorded incorrectly; the cost to the taxpayer for the publication of this substandard diary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5023/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The OPW through the GSA annually publishes a State Diary in two formats, an A5 desk State Diary and a smaller Pocket State Diary. The numbers produced for 2008 were 11,000 of the A5 desk State Diary and 25,000 of the pocket State Diary. The Diaries have been purchased and distributed throughout the civil service. The total cost to the State of both sets of Diaries was €41,090 (exclusive of VAT).

There is an error on the calendar summary page at the front of the Pocket Diary in respect of May 2008. The error is in the summary page only. The Diary proper is correct in all other respects. The Desk Diary contains no errors either in the summary or the diary proper. The error on the summary page of the Pocket Diary occurred at printing stage and was unfortunately not detected by proofing. Arrangements have been made for enhanced quality assurance measures for future contracts for the procurement of State Diaries.