Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. This is a very positive day. I congratulate her and her team on securing €30 million for the An Post network. We have had many conversations in recent times, both here and in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party room, with colleagues including Deputy O'Donnell, me and many rural Deputies and Senators. I congratulate the Minister of State on her strong engagement with us, as politicians. I pay tribute to the Irish Postmasters Union and to Ned O'Hara, who engaged with us a very constructive way. I also pay tribute to the postmasters in County Clare with whom I engaged when they came to my office.

What is being done is ground-breaking. It is the first time the Government has invested directly in the post office network. It is a realisation that the post office is much more than just a service. I understand that more services will come on stream as a result of this injection of moneys. The report from the interdepartmental group is yet to be published. Will the Minister of State provide some insight into what she envisages it will contain? What type of additional State services does she envisage will be available from the post office network?