Mr. David McRedmond:

I am clear that we are not seeking and do not need State support. This is a stand-alone commercial semi-State company and we operate it, including the post office network, as a stand-alone commercial semi-State. There is an intractability between the post office network and our delivery network, for example, around stamps and parcels and how they integrate and work with each other. While we are talking today about the post office network, we see it as one company, which it is. We are clear that we can do that.

The question of a PSO, which was raised earlier by Deputy Ó Murchú and the Chairman, is not an issue for An Post. We do not designate PSOs. Governments designate PSOs.

We are clear about the commitment that we make. Ms Byrne was taking the committee through that commitment in respect of the distances between post offices, the spread of post offices and being in every community with a population in excess of 500. We make that commitment knowing that we can fund and support that and that we believe that that is fine.