Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

It seems somewhat warped that the Minister has started to ask the Opposition spokespersons questions. Intense lobbying is taking place in the United Kingdom for what is called zonal pricing, for the very reason I have outlined. Certain interests are trying to make the case that the further a postal company has to carry a letter, the more it should be allowed to charge the customer. We are trying to avoid the introduction of such a philosophy as part of our universal service obligation. The United Kingdom is not a particularly good example.

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