Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I sometimes buy books through Amazon and it is a powerful service. Deputy Olivia Mitchell referred to other online stores that deliver to homes. More and more people use online shopping which provides a business opportunity for An Post if it is smart and snappy about taking it up. I am sure it will as there is a good strategic management team in An Post. Before the Minister, Deputy Ryan, departs this hallowed Chamber soon, will he provide the information on the liberalisation experience in other EU member sates, particularly those with similar topographies and geographical spread to that of Ireland?

I thank the Minister for attending the Chamber on a day of great turmoil. No one has copped that it was on 20 January 1987 that the Labour Party pulled out of the then coalition Government. On the same day 24 years later here we are again. I was always intrigued because Gemma Hussey, for a brief period, held three ministries. Ministers in this Government will be doing the same double-up job. I was also glad the Taoiseach said they will get no extra money or entitlements for doing this. However, I am sure they would prefer to be in their constituencies and not dripping with ministries to which they will have to give a measure of attention. I noted the events of this date recently when I was researching materials for my book. It must be an affliction date that has lingered on since 1987.

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