Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Post Viability Plan.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

8 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether, having regard to (1) the emphasis placed by An Post in their viability plan issued in February 1991 that the company have a serious financial crisis requiring immediate action and (2) his own statement that the unsustainable financial losses of An Post required urgent action, he will outline the timescale he envisages for the completion of the decision taking process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Godfrey Timmins

Ceist:

18 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will request the chief executive and senior management of An Post to enter into negotiations with the Communications Workers Union regarding their plan to bring about 1,500 redundancies in the company.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

19 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will initiate discussions between the Communications Workers Union and An Post on the redundancies and closures of sub-post offices which were announced by An Post some time ago but which have not yet been discussed with the union.

An Ceann Comhairle

Before the Minister intervenes let me say, as I usually do in dealing with Priority Questions, that 15 minutes only is provided under Standing Orders of this House for dealing with the five questions before us and I seek the co-operation of all concerned in disposing of the five questions within the time laid down.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 18 and 19 together. I am very happy to be able to inform the House that a meeting has been arranged between An Post's management and the unions representing their staff for Monday next, 20 May. The meeting will discuss proposals to resolve the financial problems facing the company and enable the implementation of outstanding arbitration awards.

At this stage, pending negotiations, it is not possible to give a firm timescale for action.

Mr. Currie

I am pleased that the Minister is at last in a position to make that announcement. I am delighted that at last he is showing some urgency about the matter. An Post are suffering unsustainable financial losses and there is a need for urgent action to restore the company to profitability. This crisis cannot be allowed to continue and those were his words, not mine. Will the Minister explain why he is only now showing signs of taking the urgent action that is required to stop the haemorrhage in An Post?

An Ceann Comhairle

I have to say that it is not in order to use quotations at Question Time.

Mr. S. Brennan

I have been involved in trying to resolve this difficulty every day since I said that. I am pleased to be able to report some progress to a very complex problem. I notice the Deputy visited a post office recently and had his picture taken, so it is not clear which side of the argument he is on. I would not mind knowing that.

Mr. Currie

I would be more concerned, and I am sure the public would be more concerned, to find out what side of the argument the Minister is on.

Mr. Yates

He is running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.

Mr. Currie

Would the Minister agree that a major part of this problem arises from the fact that his predecessor told An Post, as long ago as early 1990, that An Post were to ignore the social implications and tackle all the major problems, leaving aside the social implications? If that direction had not been given, and if the social and economic implications had been considered at that stage, we would not be in the position we are in today.

An Ceann Comhairle

Let us not forget the necessity for brevity at this time.

Mr. Currie

I understand that, Sir. Would the Minister agree that this requires urgent action and that these decisions should not be left over for political reasons until after the local government elections?

Mr. S. Brennan

I agree they should not be left over until after the local elections which is why I have arranged talks at this time.