Mr. Kieran Mulvey:

This certainly is an issue we are conscious of, having recently had the local and European elections. We did our own assessment of what went on there and whatever complaints we might have received. In the local elections, there was a larger number of candidates than ever before. The European elections tend to be different, with a smaller number of candidates and larger constituencies. We have had a discussion with each of the political parties regarding the experience in those elections. Some issues have come up, which our director of mails, Garrett Bridgeman, is addressing at the moment. An Post has a big role to play in ensuring the democratic system operates with total effectiveness and efficiency and that public representatives, whether at national or local level, get their mail delivered under the provisions setting out what is required of An Post in this regard. There is an immediacy and urgency around those communications.

I have seen the "No junk mail" signs the Senator mentioned. I agree with him that communications from politicians, whatever people may think, are not junk mail. The communications I receive refer to developments in my local area and constituency and give details, for example, of when the politician's office is open and when a public engagement is taking place. Recently, I received information from a number of local politicians, particularly those from the Government parties, on the social welfare provisions in the budget. Such communications provide a very useful directory of information. I accept the Senator's point in that regard. The political parties, in their meetings with us, have conveyed that message to the director of mails. We hope to move on that.

The Senator asked about a constituency-based service. That is always a difficult one because the Electoral Commission tends to move things around from time to time with the reorganisation of constituencies. The Cathaoirleach made an observation earlier regarding suburban areas. Wherever I drive, I see more and more buildings going up everywhere. I do not know whether they are social housing or homes for rent. There is no constituency in which I have travelled recently, particularly in suburban areas, where there was not a myriad of houses being built.