As set out in my previous reply to your question on this matter, my Department has continued to engage with An Post in relation to their proposal to provide a payment account. My consultation with the Governor of the Central Bank around the drafting of a Ministerial Order under Section 67 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, commenced in July this year, and the consultation process is now at an advanced stage.
Notwithstanding this consultation, there are still a number of steps involved in the approval process which must be completed by An Post, including a statutory consultation with the Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources. Once all necessary steps have been completed, a draft order pursuant to Section 67 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983 will be prepared for my consideration. As I have set out, this process is now at an advanced stage.