Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As it happens, that question touches on two sections in my Department. I will be honest; I think the future of An Post is in the development of a range of new business applications. We are seeing it happening already. An Post is operating as a parcel delivery company and a financial support company for energy refits. The company is increasingly delivering Government services through its network. An Post has turned around in the past two or three years and is expanding into new areas. There will still be a mail system. We have a universal service obligation and it is a critical service. For many people a return to mail may be an appropriate and desirable way of communicating. It is appropriate for those energy companies to offer choice to customers or to favour moving services online in order to reduce their costs and thereby the costs to consumers. I do not see the two concerns as connected.

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