Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2013
113. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps being taken to support the maintenance of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/13]
View answer116. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has taken account of the proposals set out in the report on promoting a sustainable future for the post office ##network. [20195/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 116 together.
Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.
As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and I regularly liaise with the Company in this regard.
An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have impressed on the Company the need to further exploit its unique position in this regard and have been supportive of its attempts to diversify its income streams and to win a wider range of commercial contracts offering higher margins.
I welcome the Joint Oireachtas Committee’s ‘Report on Promoting a Sustainable Future for the Post Office Network’. I have read and considered this report and found it both positive and ambitious.
An Post has made much progress towards diversification with its enhanced arrangement with AIB and its agreement with Aviva for the transfer of Aviva Ireland’s branch offices personal insurance business book to One Direct.
In the context of the public sector transformation agenda I will continue to engage with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to consideration, as appropriate, of the post office network for transactional elements of the business of Government Departments and Agencies and have stressed to my Government colleagues that the network is ideally configured for over the counter transactions.
Overall, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices.
