It is very easy to overlook the positive side of developments in the network in the face of the undoubtedly severe financial difficulties An Post is experiencing and which were clearly anticipated in both the Flynn and interdepartmental reports. Business has grown by more than 34% in An Post since it was established as a commercial State company. Prudent investment in automation has equipped the company to be at the forefront of the electronic payments revolution. This is reflected in the agreement with the banks in 2001 in relation to bill pay facilities and the company's success, against stiff competition, in winning the contracts with the ESB for counter payment services and mobile phone top-up through the company's PostPoint service.