John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I am trying to establish if the quality, or otherwise, of the agreement that was entered into. It seems from some media reports there is a basis for doubt around how that contract was constructed and put in place but I am not asking the regulator to comment on this. Deputy Pearse Doherty mentioned earlier whether the other bidder in this case knew all of this. I am only posing that as a question. I am coming to the point of transparency. It would be far better if there was greater transparency around that contract and the figures which Ms Boate knows because of her oversight of the licence and its operation. It would ease the minds of those who are concerned about this.

That brings me on to the issue of marketing. It ties into the notion that the company can have a pretty significant figure for looking for extra business basically. If one goes into any of the outlets there is a massive amount of publicity or promotion material in what could be determined as family friendly spaces. People going into the post office to transact their business who may have family members with them are exposed to all of that. It is not hidden away from people, it is their face when are going about their business. The company has the power of money to continue to do it like that because it is contained in the licence. The Government, through its sale, has made it possible for that company to push as much as possible the licence and the promotional material.

What information can the regulator make available under the freedom of information legislation?