Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had with An Post with a view to clarification of the future role of the post office services having regard to deregulation and the ongoing closure of post offices with consequent implications for the future and integrity of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5347/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The size and scale of the post office network is a matter for the management and board of the company. The closure of individual post offices is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of the company and one in which I have no function. I have, though, asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability of the post office network.

It was to this end that the Government recently gave its approval for An Post to enter into a joint venture agreement with Belgian Bank, Fortis, to set up a retail banking business. This will entail the provision of a range of financial services operated through the post office branch network, using the An Post brand and other An Post assets. 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.