Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and location of post office closures and the conversion of sub-post offices to postal agents to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33438/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Post office closures and conversions are, in the first instance, an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no function. I would refer the Deputy to the following appendix, which details the number and location of post offices closed and converted to date, in 2006.

As clearly set out in the Programme for Government, this Government and the Board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing and maintaining the largest, economically sustainable post office network possible.

The challenge for all stakeholders in An Post is to generate sufficient profitable business to maintain the network at its current size. In this regard the way forward is for An Post to enhance existing services and building on existing strengths, to develop new product offerings.

It was in recognition of this fact that one of the first actions I undertook on taking up office was to ask the company to devise a new long-term strategy for the post office network. Last month Government approval was secured for An Post to enter a joint venture agreement with Belgian Bank, Fortis to set up a retail banking business.

Key to the Government approval of the joint venture is that it offers a real opportunity for the growth and development of An Post and the post office network as well as improving income streams for the network and its postmasters.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has examined the grievances of sub-post masters throughout the country; if he has encouraged the management of An Post to do so in order to alleviate outstanding matters in relation to salary, pension or other costs; if he has drawn up, directly or through An Post, a comprehensive plan for counter and delivery services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33532/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Issues in relation to postmasters employed by An Post are, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. Despite this I have met with the IPU on a number of occasions and addressed their Annual Conference.

The Government has been and continues to be committed to the objective of securing and maintaining the largest economically sustainable post office network possible. This extends to the postmasters whose financial security and strong relationship with customers are vital to the continued viability of the network.

It was with this in mind that I appointed Mr. Eamonn Ryan to act as facilitator between the Irish Postmasters' Union and An Post to identify issues of mutual concern and plot a roadmap for their resolution. In this regard, Mr. Ryan recently completed a report on these issues and made a number of recommendations. I understand that his report is now the subject of ongoing discussions between the IPU and An Post.

Whilst acknowledging the relative importance of the current Government contracts to the network, the way forward for the post office is to win new business and new income streams, particularly in the case of postmasters.

It was in recognition of this fact that one of the first actions I undertook on taking up office was to ask the company to devise a new long-term strategy for the post office network. Last month Government approval was secured for An Post to enter a joint venture agreement with Belgian Bank, Fortis to set up a retail banking business.

Key to the Government approval of this joint venture was that it not only offers a real opportunity for the growth and development of An Post and the post office network but that it will, in time, greatly benefit the income streams of postmasters.