asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will issue a directive regarding the cashing of Irish postal orders in the United Kingdom and other sterling linked countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cashing of Postal Orders.
46.
I would refer the Deputy to the answer given to a previous question from Deputy Treacy on the 18 October 1979. The position regarding the cashing of Irish postal orders in the United Kingdom was set out in a general advertisement inserted by my Department in the national newspapers on the 8 October 1979, and suitable instructions have been issued to counter staff. There is no international agreement on the acceptance of other countries' postal orders, but a small number of sterling-linked countries have continued to accept Irish postal orders despite the break in our link with sterling.
Is the Minister aware that there is a lot of difficulty for Irish people sending postal orders particularly to England where they are not being cashed and what steps does he propose to take in these circumstances?
I am aware that following the break in parity between the IR£ and sterling the British Post Office continued for a time to accept Irish postal orders, cashing them in sterling at face value, but because of the widening gap between the two currencies they ceased to do so from the beginning of August 1979. Meanwhile Irish postal orders are being accepted by some British banks on their terms at exchange rate adjusted values and mostly with heavy commission charges.
What steps does the Minister propose to take to alleviate this situation?
It is a very complex and difficult question. Postal orders will have to get a complete readjustment. We are studying that at the moment and will make an announcement later.
Can we take it that the Minister will make a decision on this within the next month as it is causing a lot of hardship?
I will look into the matter but I will not commit myself to making a statement within a month.
The Minister referred to a readjustment in the postal order service. Will the Minister elaborate on that? Does the Minister envisage alterations at our end or is he referring to proposals for readjustment at the sterling end?
We are investigating the whole area of postal orders. As I stated previously, those investigations have just begun and I would not like to comment further at this time.