Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Amendment Bill 2016: Committee Stage

7:00 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed at that. It was comprehensive and aimed at speeding up the process for price increases. We have reached this cliff because management at An Post has not actively monitored this situation and managed it properly in the past decade or longer. That, and the reduction in mail volumes, has brought us to this point. To use the Minister of State's term, we are in an emergency situation. Sinn Féin recognises that and it is the reason for our amendment. I am disappointed that my amendment, which would have allowed for some oversight to be retained and accelerated matters, is not being included. Being able to handle matters quickly would help An Post. I will revert on Report Stage with an amendment on these themes.

Our intentions may have been misconstrued by some who may have a different agenda that has nothing to do with the future of An Post. I am not interested in that. Will the Minister of State clarify what could be done on Report Stage were I to submit an amendment on the basis that this one has fallen?

I also seek clarification from the departmental officials on another question that may have already been asked, but I was not 100% clear on what the answer was because we did not get a clear answer. If a price increase is sought currently, ComReg does its work. We all agree that this process takes too long and can inhibit a company from acting quickly enough to deal with what is happening in the real world. After ComReg has undertaken public consultant and so on, must the Minister still sign off on the matter?

I will table an amendment on speedier reviews on Report Stage, so I wish to clarify whether I can do that.

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