Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I agree and the legislation seeks to maintain that universal service provision so that someone in Falcarragh is treated in the same way as someone in Dublin 4. The question of whether there should be State support for that depends on one's perspective. I believe that the national distribution network could be an asset in a new business model that would have to develop, rather than a cost or a liability. For example, if we are looking to develop Internet parcels or other arrangements, having a guaranteed national network service with offices and skilled people is a huge resource, rather than just a cost. We do not have the State funding to provide support for that but I believe that the important thing to do is to concentrate on a new business model that will use that network to develop revenue streams that help pay for it.

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