247. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 1 July 2015, the progress he and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources have since made in setting up the bank system for An Post. [34041/15]

My Department has continued to engage with An Post in relation to their proposal to provide a payment account.  There are a number of steps involved in the approval process which must be completed by An Post, including a statutory consultation with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.  I am also consulting with the Central Bank of Ireland. Once all the necessary preparatory steps have been completed, a draft order pursuant to Section 67 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 will be prepared for my consideration.  I understand that the process is at an advanced stage.