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

Coincidentally, I was only talking to one of my team earlier and we were raising a similar issue. My understanding is that the delivery of publicity post or direct mail cannot or does not operate within electoral boundaries in many instances. We were asking ourselves the question as to why that is the case because when it comes to An Coimisiún Toghcháin communications, it can. I agreed earlier on this morning that I was going to write to the CEO of An Post to ask that very question. Why is it that the boundaries there seem to be so restrictive compared with others? "Yes" is the answer. I do not know if the Deputy's concerns came about as a result of representations similar to those I have been receiving. I will ask An Post to look at the matter.

Making the broader case, An Post is an extremely important and trusted organisation. Those 900 post offices are probably some of the most trusted institutions within our State for people's money, the social welfare, their savings as well as for mail, parcels and so on. An Post is in a challenging situation. Mail volumes continue to drop significantly. We all know this when we think about when the last time was we sent a letter. We have to see the expansion of other businesses, particularly the parcel business which has been successful and is being very well run by An Post. However, it is in a difficult and stressed situation. That €10 million per annum, €30 million over these three years, is an important support as the company transitions to a new commercial future. It is a commercial business and that is not without its challenges.

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