29.—(1) F25[(a) The Minister for Finance may, on the request of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and after consultation with the Minister, make available to the postal company a sum not exceeding €63,500,000 to finance capital works.]

(b) Such sum may be made available either—

(i) by way of loans on such terms as to repayment, interest and other matters as may be determined by the Minister for Finance, F26[following consultation by him with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform,] or

(ii) by way of purchase of shares in the company (such shares to be issued to the Minister), or

(iii) by way of both such loans and purchase.

(2) During the period of three years from the vesting day, the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, may make available to the postal company grants of an amount not exceeding £20,000,000 for current expenditure.