asked the Minister for Finance if he will make arrangements for the introduction of a system whereby withdrawals by depositors from post office savings accounts could be operated by means of cheques somewhat similar to the system in operation in banks; if he will make arrangements for the issuing of travellers' cheques to post office savings account depositors; and if he will introduce an account-paying service and any other new service to compete with commercial banks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Savings Bank.
3.
The present arrangements for making payments by cheque and bank transfer and for the issuing of travellers' cheques appear to be adequate, and I see no reason why the savings banks should enter these fields.
Is the Tánaiste under the impression that everybody who has a deposit in the Savings Bank has a cheque book and that he can withdraw money just as easily as he would from a bank?
It would mean a complete reorganisation of the post office service.
Would the Tánaiste not consider it might be a good idea to consider it very fully, because if there is a public demand for it— and I believe there is—it should be introduced.
It has been considered.
Not very fully, I would say.
Fully, yes.