Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I commend the hardworking staff of An Post for the invaluable contribution to people in this State. The motion before us has mixed messages because it appears to support the deregulation policies that will destroy the postal network. My concern, shared by many, is that liberalisation and deregulation will cause new postal administrations to enter the market and cherry pick the most profitable areas. This will put more pressure on An Post's social obligation to deliver throughout the State. Postal services in rural areas are already scaled back, some areas having only two deliveries each week. The Government is allowing postal standards to drop in order to bolster its argument for increased market liberalisation.

The Fortis 50-50 joint banking operation could be the saviour of many post offices, yet we are witnessing the mass closure of post offices throughout the State. We must retain post offices in which this new service can be offered. Post offices throughout the Twenty-six counties are closing with no active Government response. Without a national strategy the local post office is in grave danger of becoming extinct. The decision of the European Court of Justice, stipulating that An Post must compete for Government contracts, fits in with the EU liberalisation and privatisation plans but could be the fatal blow to the network. Government business accounts for 70% of post office transactions and many post offices are dependent on social welfare contracts. Over 25% of post offices have closed in the past six years and only 84 full-time post offices remain. These closures are affecting those in rural areas and the elderly most, especially those who must travel long distances to receive essential payments such as the pension.

Postal services are being scaled down in many working class areas. Staff at offices in Dublin 10 are to be reduced by half, a scenario that may be repeated across Dublin. In Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot, the priority is commercial parcels, to the detriment of ordinary people as customers. People are receiving a second class service and business is the priority. Scaling down postal services will also affect Tallaght. In Lucan and Blanchardstown, some estates receive only one delivery per week. An Post is failing to deliver post every day due to reductions in staff and the Government refuses to adopt a progressive strategy for the network.

The liberalisation of the postal market is due to take place by 2009 and the Government claims this move is led by the EU. This is untrue because it is led by Ireland, with Commissioner McCreevy at the helm. In France, where postal workers are heavily unionised, such liberalisation would be unlikely to happen. Germany is also likely to oppose it and Ireland may be one of the few countries to agree to liberalisation. The United States, the beacon of capitalism and every Progressive Democrats dream, has refused to liberalise the postal market and is content to keep it in public ownership.

The motion calls on the Government to address labour relations in An Post. Ordinary staff are refused payments of up to €2,000 agreed under Sustaining Progress while top brass pay themselves six figure sums. This highlights many of the ongoing problems within An Post.

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