Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

Nobody has a problem with the Minister's approach. We are talking about competition and opening up new business, and this is not an issue. The issue is about the customer and making sure that whether one lives in Falcarragh or Foxrock, one is treated equally for postal services. From experience elsewhere, we need to do something specific to protect that universal right. That may include State aid. The Minister blithely said that this is not an option, but I understand that there is no reason it cannot be in the Bill and that the commission can make a decision on it.

The Minister should stop thinking about markets and getting excited about new business, and remember that the customer will lose out badly unless the safeguards are in place to ensure that regardless of where one lives in this country, one has access to a decent and efficient postal service.

See this speech in context