Mr. Bernard Byrne:

We have to get the right balance in respect of these matters, and that is what we seek to do. An Post understands that. It is a matter of trying to come up with the right balance for us, for the customer and for An Post.

In respect of enhancements in the future, that is one of the issues we have been focused on. We have gone through the retraction of some of the physical infrastructure. We have invested heavily in opening more channels. We are available much more now than we used to be. We have 15 lobbies that are available for 14 hours a day. That used not to exist. Small businesses can use those lobbies in high-footfall locations.

We have an online channel, in terms of phone banking, for customers from 8 o'clock in the morning until 8 o'clock at night six days a week. That is a really enhanced offering, particularly in rural locations. In particular, those involved in agriculture find that helpful, as they do not have to go into the branch any more; they can get loans online. We are trying to enhance that functionality.