Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I have listened to much of this debate because I have considerable concerns about the postal service. I agree with the Minister that the main threat to the service comes from email and other electronic forms of communication. I have sought assurances on a number of aspects of the legislation, but I wish to read into the record one such aspect. There are provisions in the legislation dealing with an industrial levy which are designed to ensure that if there is cherry-picking of profitable routes and An Post - as the universal postal service provider - is left with the unprofitable ones, it will be compensated by way of contributions from the profitable commercial sector. That is an important aspect of this Bill. The Minister has done his best to protect An Post and our postal services generally. It is important that should be done and I entirely accept the importance of having a good postal service for the country. I also acknowledge the social aspects that Deputies Ferris and Ó Cuív have mentioned, but it is not simply a straightforward liberalisation of the market.

See this speech in context