Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister of State reverted to this matter, as we did not have time to discuss it. Deputy Lawless may have a similar point to the one that I am about to make. Our purpose and wordings are similar. We have been speaking to similar people with an interest in the area.

The point about not removing completely the capability of ComReg to have oversight is a valid one. In some ways, the Minister recognises this. If I heard the Minister of State correctly, the Minister has issued a direction that An Post, in any removal of the price cap and setting of new prices, would need ComReg to run the rule over its plans. What the Minister intends to do is similar to the intention of the amendment. The words are "shall" or "may", but the key point is that ComReg would maintain its oversight. That is valid.

Our regulatory system is there for good purposes. Even if An Post needed to raise revenue quickly in an emergency, it would be unfortunate if ComReg did not avail of its oversight role. ComReg is well placed to assess the company and provide regulatory oversight. The amendment provides for that. In some ways, the Minister of State is saying that the Minister will do this but will not, or is reluctant to, accept the amendment, which would provide for the doing of it.