Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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107. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding concerns from postmasters from all areas over the future of their industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focussed network of post offices in the community. The professionalism of the postmasters and An Post has served the network well down through the years and I do not see any reason why this should not continue to be so in the years ahead. I met with the Irish Postmasters' Union on 24 March and we had a useful and wide ranging discussion on their concerns in relation to the future of the post office network.

Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. An Post has undertaken a programme of capital investment particularly in the computerisation of the post office network including the automation of all post offices. As a result, the post office network stands well positioned to become the front office provider of choice for Government and the financial services sector for both electronic transactions as well as the more traditional over the counter transactions. Any such developments would need to be subject to public procurement requirements as appropriate.

I had committed to taking the issue of the provision of additional public sector business to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The Committee had its initial consideration of the matter at its meeting on 28 April. I hope the Committee will make further progress on a whole-of-government approach to sustaining and developing the network consistent with European law. I see a strong future for the network by using its existing strengths to remain a significant player in the provision of Government, financial and other services.