Vol. 527 No. 1
43 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the implications for the State of the decisions taken by the Regional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament on 22 November 2000 regarding the position put forward in May 2000 by the Commission to further open post services to competition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27689/00]
I have noted the position adopted by the European Parliament Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism at its meeting on 22 November in relation to the proposal for a directive amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the further opening to competition of Community postal services and will bear this in mind in determining the Irish approach to this matter.
44 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if An Post will require her permission to take over counter transactions from the banks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27691/00]
Under section 67 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, An Post may, after consultation with me and following authorisation by the Minister for Finance, provide specified banking services.
An Post is currently examining the question of providing certain services to the public which heretofore have been provided by the banks. It is too early to say whether the company will be seeking approval to provide new services in this area or to outline the nature of those services.
