Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his view regarding expanding the role of post offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43625/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Matters relating to the post office network, including the development of commercial strategies, are an operational matter for the management and Board of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function.

Nonetheless, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable State company, providing high quality services on a nationwide basis. In this context, the Government supports the maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices.

An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have impressed on the Company the need to further exploit its unique position in this regard.

In the context of public sector transformation, I have stressed to my Government colleagues that the increased use of the post office network should be considered by public sector bodies where this is appropriate, and An Post has met public sector bodies in connection with the outsourcing element of the public sector transformation agenda.

As a commercial State body An Post may bid for business from both public and private organisations in a competitive market. The nature and volume of business that An Post conducts with Government Departments and Public Sector Agencies is, however, in the first instance, a matter for the company and the respective Government Departments and Agencies.