Brian O'Shea
Ceist:239 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals she has to authorise the 12% payment to postmasters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21691/01]
Written Answers. - Post Office Service.
Under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, legal responsibility for the remuneration of postmasters is a matter for An Post in consultation and agreement with the Irish Postmasters Union. The Government, in the context of its consideration of the report of the interdepartmental group established to assess options for the long-term viability of the post office service, has agreed to increase the share capital of An Post by £10 million on the basis that this would facilitate the implementation of the overall package of reforms set out in the above report, in particular through payment of the increase for sub-postmasters recommended in the Flynn report.
This equity stake is subject to clearance by the European Commission, as it may constitute a state aid. A submission has been made to the European Commission for clearance under the state aid regime. I have also met with representatives of the Commission earlier this week to press Ireland's case for an early and positive response to our request.