Ms Debbie Byrne:

The post office can be a place where citizens can renew the public services card. I had to take a half-day from work to get my card and go to an office, which was very inconvenient. It is important to point out that we are there to offer a better service on behalf of the Government to consumers as well as trying to keep the network viable. The identity verification space is an ideal space because postmasters are used to doing verification for social welfare customers and the anti-money laundering verifications that are required for bank accounts. They are well placed to provide that infrastructure for the State.

Someone who recently moved back from Germany to a good job here told me they had to go around ten million houses to try to get a PPS number to open a bank account and all of the rest of it. If one place was the doorway for verification to get a PPS number and so on to open a bank account, it would be very beneficial. Postmasters have the expertise and there is also the infrastructure and technology in place through our system to do that. We need to provide new Government services, and not just motor tax and driving licences.

I will need address the opportunities in terms of Bonkers and Switcher separately. I cannot say that we have engaged with them. We can address the matter separately and see whether there is an opportunity.