Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

ComReg is already active in this area. As recently as June 2016, ComReg published a review and assessment of An Post's terminal dues agreements. Terminal dues are rates paid for delivery of international inbound mail items. This review, which was conducted with the assistance of Frontier Economics, was a useful exercise as terminal dues do have an impact on An Post. I should advise that the Minister was open to the inclusion of a provision along the lines of that proposed by Deputies Dooley and Ryan. In this regard, officials have been liaising with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. However, the Office of the Attorney General has advised that an amendment of this nature would create legal uncertainty and likely impact on ComReg's existing powers under the 2002 Act. It could also leave previous actions undertaken by ComReg on terminal dues open to challenge. Having regard to the Attorney General's advice, I cannot accept the amendments proposed. However, the Minister will raise this matter separately with ComReg.