Ms Debbie Byrne:

When we ask about the future of the post office, while services change and digitisation is increasing, we can group services under three headings. There is community banking and financial services and everything that goes with that. There is also ecommerce. We have a big cohort of new customers coming in through the circular economy. Vinted is a big part for us. The whole thing of sending and returning parcels means post offices are at the heart of ecommerce. We have talked of the role of the harp over the door for Government services. Within that Government services piece is the social and human piece, where Government continues to interact with communities. We need to evolve.

Post office colocation has been a big thing. Some 66% of the network is now colocated. We are also experimenting with new formats. In rural Ireland, we have two new formats going live later this year. That will involve a smaller footprint and lower set-up costs. They typically will have less cash going through, so some of the bigger paraphernalia found in the post office will not be needed. We will have to evolve with that. Self-service machines are being trialled and it is going very well, particularly for ecommerce. For pick-up and drop-off, people do not need to stand in a queue, but can scan a barcode and get a receipt. Technology will play a role there and help reduce postmasters' costs, where human interaction will work hand in glove-----