asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will honour the commitments given by previous Ministers of State at his Department to set up a properly organised and highly efficient express delivery service within his Department.

26.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has any proposals to introduce an express post service.

: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.

Plans for the establishment of the first phase of an express delivery service are at an advanced stage. It is hoped to initiate the new service during the second quarter of this year.

: What number of staff do the Minister's Department propose to deploy to this express service?

: That has not been decided yet.

: Would the Minister not agree that this is a matter of urgency? I am disappointed to hear that it will take so long to introduce this service which was at a very advanced stage when we left office.

: The Deputy cannot make statements.

: Would the Minister agree that this matter should be expedited to prevent the extension of these courier services in the city? Would the Minister try to speed up this proposed express service, to give it greater priority in his Department, in order to have it introduced as quickly as possible?

: As I said in my reply, it is hoped to initiate the new service during the second quarter of this year.

: Too slow.

: When did the Deputy want it, yesterday?

: In regard to the proposed express delivery service, could the Minister tell the House if his Department have made any plans or progress in regard to expanding the banking activities of the Post Office?

: That seems to be another question.

: If the Deputy will put down another question about that I shall be delighted to answer it.

: Has the Minister considered the provision of services other than the express delivery service, for example, banking?

: They are under consideration by my Department.

: What progress has been made?

: If the Deputy will put down a question to that effect I will certainly answer it.