Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are very good social reasons why we cannot consider this matter only through the prism of cost. I accept the argument in that regard. Like all clichés, however, that which Deputy Moynihan condemned earlier has a grain of truth. As Deputy Moynihan stated, An Post is a commercial State company with a remit to carry out its business profitably, etc. As such, it is not in receipt of an Exchequer subvention. Obviously, the company and its directors must have regard to that.

My memory of the driving licence issue is that the tender was won on the basis of 40 outlets being provided, whereas An Post had offered some 200 plus outlets. The experience anecdotally is that the new system is proving inconvenient for people in many parts of the country, including Dublin. It is a bit of an undertaking for people to travel to a single location to renew their driving licences and then return to work or wherever. This is a good example and I am in discussions in respect of it with my colleagues. I received enormous support a couple of weeks ago on Private Members' business. In fact, I have never had such a gale of support behind me right across the House. I hope that will last.

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