Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Deputy cannot have it both ways. Either we set up a statutorily independent regulator or we do not. The requirement behind this is that An Post is a State-owned postal company and we must separate regulation from ownership. Either he accepts that basic principle or not but he cannot argue for both sides.

I accept the importance of the social role of the postal service in Ireland. As Deputy Ferris said, it was the subject of much debate during the evolution of this Bill and on Committee Stage. Of course I recognise the important role of the postal service in this country and I accept the spirit of the amendments. I would point out to Deputy Ó Cuív, however, that the post office network does not fall within the remit of the postal directive and is not affected by the provisions of the Bill. I am sure the Deputy will be glad to hear that section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 is remaining unchanged. An Post will continue to be statutorily obliged to provide nationwide counter services both for its own business and that of the Government. That has not changed.

The social importance of a universal postal service is encapsulated in the universal service obligation, the essential element of which is the collection and delivery of mail to every home and premises in every corner of the State on every working day. This key principle is enshrined in the Bill, which designates An Post as the universal postal service provider. Designating An Post offers certainty to postal service users and the universal service obligation will be met throughout the country with no urban-rural divide.

In addition, ComReg, as the postal services regulator, is charged with ensuring the provision of a universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of users. Deputies will be aware that the Bill augments the functions and objectives of ComReg to promote the development of the sector, to promote the interests of users and, subject to these two objectives, to facilitate the development of competition and innovation in the market. These are not equal objectives and I believe this hierarchy of objectives adequately addresses the concerns Deputy Ferris is seeking to address in this amendment.

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