Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

If my recollection is correct, during the debate on Committee Stage the Minister stated that after seven years he would have the power to extend the timescale to 12 years provided ComReg held a different view. I made the argument then and I make it again now that this is dependent on the ideological view of whoever the Minister happens to be. I recall the views of a former Minister when the current Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, sat on this side in the Opposition benches with Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and the Technical Group. At the time, there was a most right-wing Minister with no concept or understanding of social ownership or the role such a social connection has with the people. My great fear is that the proposal is dependent on the Minister of the day, irrespective of who he or she is.

The Minister remarked that the decrease in the volume of mail was one of the reasons for the opening up of the service. I believe this strengthens the argument. If the volume of mail is down, it is inevitable that whatever service or company is operating other than An Post will cherry-pick the most lucrative areas for its programme. As a result, on the social side there will be considerable detrimental effects.

The Minister also stated that the EU directive is compelling. Is the same European directive applicable to Holland? I am open to correction but my understanding is that Holland has a derogation. If this is the case, it will continue to have a universal provider under the auspices of the State.

The Minister also made the point, perhaps in a jovial way, that the postman is not obliged to deliver groceries. Where I come from, we are a community and any service in place has to it a social connection. In his day, the Minister would have been very strong in his views in this regard. It is not simply about showing vast profits at the end of the day. It is about providing a social connection with people who are less well off, more in need, incapacitated, isolated or whatever. If the postal service can help people in such situations it is providing a great service. It may not be rewarded but it is rewarding for its recipients. There is a great deal more to it than simply applying a directive and then manipulating it away from a programme for Government, in which the Minister's party and Fine Gael agreed on a timescale of 20 years. If there was a commitment to 20 years it would greatly strengthen my argument.

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