In relation to the development of banking and retail services by An Post, I should like to ask the Minister if he is satisfied with the progress made to date.

The information sought by the Deputy will be circulated in the Official Report and in my view it would be unfair to start picking and choosing from the different items. I should like to tell the Deputy, on the possible development of banking and retail services, that a steering group are evaluating proposals drawn up by An Post and hope to make recommendations at an early date. I would like to have seen that happen sooner but they have not made recommendations as yet.

I am baffled as to how the reply to these questions is being put in tabular form since we are not seeking statistical information.

The Minister is back from Murrayfield.

The Minister was not at Murrayfield.

It may mean that the Minister has given a very detailed reply.

I have given a six page reply referring to each item specified in the programme. I have no doubt that the Deputy will be asking me questions in relation to it on the next occasion I am in the House for Question Time.