The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the body that runs Leinster House, has imposed major reforms of printing services for TDs and senators, despite the outright opposition of Fine Gael, it has emerged.
The changes were recommended in March by an expert hired by the commission, who said the existing system was "grossly inefficient".
Up to now, the biggest political parties have had their own State-paid printers and four-colour printing machines, while the smaller ones have less sophisticated printing machines. The machines produce hundreds of thousands of pages of documents, leaflets, fliers, etc for each of the parties for use in Leinster House and in constituencies.
Following the report from consultants, Syrom Ltd, the commission decided that printing operations should be consolidated, and brought under the control of one single manager.
Despite "an almighty row", the proposal was accepted on Friday at a meeting of the 10-strong commission, which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon. The issue is the first to be decided by a vote at the commission, which was set up last year with a three-year, €300 million budget to run Leinster House.
Fine Gael, whose commission representatives, Paul McGrath TD and Senator Ulick Burke voted against, is now to refuse to co-operate with the new rules.
The Fine Gael parliamentary party has complained strongly that the changes would mean that the party would lose control over its own printing arrangements, if the changes were made. "The party will lose its capability to prioritise its printing work to take account of the needs of the party and its Oireachtas members," said a source.
The new system would benefit Fianna Fáil, Opposition opponents argue, because each party's share of printing time would be dependent partly on its numbers in the Dáil and the Seanad.
Fianna Fáil's printing operation, with just one printer, was deemed by the consultant to be the most efficient of all the political parties, though still with room for improvement.
Some TDs are worried that other political parties will be able to see their printing if the system is changed, while others are more worried about party colleagues in the same constituency.
In a letter to Dr O'Hanlon last month, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny opposed the recommendations made by Mr Lorcan Ó hObain of Syrom.
The majority of the commission has argued that members' confidentiality can be protected under the changes, while improving value for money. Under 1998 legislation, the parties are prevented from using the printers to produce election material, or material promoting the potential candidacy of individuals.
A number of antiquated printing machines in use in Leinster House were withdrawn from service last July, and replaced by more up-to-date models.
The new machines are based in Kildare House in four adjoining rooms, with each having a printing press, plate-setter and one guillotine.
In its report, Syrom pointed out that very poor records were kept of the printing jobs carried out, and criticised a lack of management, sources have told The Irish Times.
The printers used up nearly €100,000 worth of paper between October 2004 and February 2005 and demand has grown significantly since then.
Stung by criticism of its printing efficiency, Fine Gael appointed a print manager and established a committee under parliamentary party chairman, Tom Hayes to oversee its own operation.
The Progressive Democrats, which has contracted its printing work to an outside company, receives €67,000 in State funding towards the costs.
