Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it not time that we looked at the fundamental governance of An Post and the memorandum establishing the company? The ESB has a public service obligation to maintain the electricity network to every community in the country. We talk about maintaining post offices and the fact that the post office network is vital to communities but apart from the network, post offices also have the public's trust. It is time that the memorandum of understanding establishing An Post was changed to state that it has to maintain post office networks the length and breadth of the country. As a commercial semi-State body, the emphasis of An Post would change dramatically if it was obliged by legislation or other statutory means to maintain the post office network. In that case, An Post would vigorously go after business to ensure that the network was maintained.

The other issue concerns State contracts including, most recently, the provision of driving licences.

It must be looked at to ensure that An Post can tender for such projects.

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