Tag: Republic of Ireland

The An Post dispute could have serious implications for the company’s deteriorating financial position. It expects to report an operating loss of more than E47 million for 2003, with losses in 2004 forecast to come in at almost E40 million. The company is not due to break even until 2005, and even then its problems may not end. Postal delivery is under pressure worldwide, and An Post is no different as e-mail continues its onslaught on what is sometimes called “snail mail”. While the company’s financial problems have been a concern of the Government since last summer, the difficulties date back to before then.
An Post has been making operating losses since 2001. An unfortunate combination of rising costs and falling profits have plunged it into the red. Only a few months ago chief executive Mr Donal Curtin described the company as being on a “knife edge”.

Donal Curtin, who took up the reins as chief executive of An Post in mid-2003, is one to watch in 2004. He was a strong contender for the top job at the ESB – where he had held down anumber of senior positions – only to lose out to Padraig McManus. When he took over from John Hynes, few were surprised that Communications Minister Dermot Ahern had opted for an outsider to tackle the mounting difficulties at the State mail company. Within weeks, Cork-city born Curtin had initiated a strategic review of the areas where An Post was losing money, intending to set out a framework for the future direction of the company.