Vol. 541 No. 2
240 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals she has to set up the proposed forum consisting of representatives of the Government, her Department, An Post and the Irish Post Masters' Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21692/01]
The Government remains fully committed to the maintenance of the post office network on a nationwide basis. On foot of the Government's decision of 27 July 2001 to increase the share capital of An Post by £10 million for payment of the increases in postmasters' remuneration recommended by the Flynn report, I decided to establish a partnership forum to oversee developments in the network. The first meeting of the forum which is chaired by Phil Flynn, took place on Monday, 1 October.
The terms of reference of the forum are to discuss the principles on progressing the adoption of the agency model on a pilot basis by year end, in the context of the An Post group. These principles to include: the exploration of arrangements for the nationwide introduction of postal agency arrangements; the parameters of a transaction fee structure; the enhanced service opportunities; optimum method of service delivery; relevant and agreed ancillary services; report on progress on arrangements for postmasters who wish to surrender their agencies as negotiated between An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, subject to appropriate input from the Departments of Public Enterprise and Finance; to consider suggestions for possible additional services which could be provided through the post office network, in the context of developments in information technology, particularly the online provision of Government services.
These matters are to be addressed by An Post in the context of a business plan, taking into account the current position of the company and an action plan for the future. It is to advise on issues relating to the establishment of Government services outlets. The forum aims to have furnished a report to the Minister for Public Enterprise on the above by end year.
