I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 30 and 31 together.
An Post already operate the Post Office Savings Bank on behalf of the Minister for Finance. As explained to the House in reply to a question on 30 May 1990, development proposals for the banking and retail services of An Post drawn up by the company in conjunction with their main agency customers, viz. the Departments of Social Welfare and Finance and to be co-financed by them were finalized and approved at the end of 1989. Implementation of the proposals had to be deferred because of difficulties experienced by the company in relation to the supply of a central software package. An Post have now informed me that they have completed their reassessment of the proposals in the light of these difficulties, and that the company are currently discussing the revised proposals with their main agency customers.
The proposals would encompass widespread networking of computers to post offices nationwide and would include a number of the retail facilities of a giro banking nature, for example, bill payments, money transmission, direct debits, standing orders, etc.
I understand that An Post have already studied the question of the introduction of a full giro banking service and that the company decided against it having regard to such factors as the capital investment required, the minimum solvency ratio and the extent to which the marketplace is already served for such a service. However, it is open to the company to submit proposals to me at any time for a full giro banking service and I will have them considered speedily.