Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
649. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to conduct a commercial review of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra652. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out a comprehensive commercial review of the post office network to ensure its viability for the foreseeable future and in particular the next five to seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra653. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will quantify the social role which post offices provide and the onus on the State to provide equality for citizens under Article 45 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra658. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will recognise the post office network as a national asset and ensure its future by making it the provider of choice and the front office for all Government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25904/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will carry out a comprehensive commercial review of the post office network to ensure its viability for the foreseeable future; and if he will make additional resources and finance available to develop new services, such as the collection of rent, rates, local authority charges, motor tax renewals and driving licence renewals. [26367/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 649, 652, 653, 658 and 667 together.
It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide network of customer focused post offices in the community.
I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group earlier this year. The terms of reference for the group are to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network; identify the new business opportunities for the network, taking account of international experience; engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the aforementioned objectives; and prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.
The work of the group will be of strategic importance to the future of the post office network and I look forward to it concluding its deliberations later this year. In the meantime, I published the initial report of the group for consultation on 16 June, the results of which will contribute to the final report in due course. The consultation runs until 28 July 2015 and details are available through the following link on my Department’s website: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Postal/Post+Office+Network+Business+Development+Group.htm.
It is in everyone's interest that we have a sustainable post office network, one which meets the needs of the consumer first and foremost. Our collective challenge will be to ensure the future services offered by An Post and the postmasters place the company on a sound financial footing.
