I have serious concerns about opening the Irish postal services market to free competition. My fear is that it will lead to significant inefficiencies within the postal service and widespread job losses. I am also of the opinion that it will jeopardise the vital services currently provided by the existing postmen and postwomen in rural Ireland who for decades have provided an essential service to rural communities. Our elderly population, especially in rural areas, often rely on the staff of An Post for peace of mind and, at times, they are their only form of communication with the outside world. I doubt that this vital cog in the wheel of rural Ireland will be maintained if we adopt an approach which opens up the market to private operators.
This provision in the Bill will, in my view, lead to widespread job losses throughout the country. We must learn from the experience of our fellow EU members where the opening of the postal market has led to job losses but has failed to have the desired effect of decreasing costs. According to British commentators, the Royal Mail was seriously damaged when private operators were allowed to gain access to the market. In Germany, staff numbers were slashed when liberalisation was introduced. However, the German consumer experienced no drop in prices for the service. Currently, 10,000 jobs are dependent on the postal service in Ireland and we have the eighth lowest price out of 29 European countries for postal services.
I question whether this provision would lead to a more efficient postal service. Currently, An Post operates very efficiently. On the other hand, the quality of service in countries where the service has been liberalised has suffered a decline. The Communication Workers Union has told an Oireachtas committee that liberalisation will not necessarily guarantee an increase in postal volumes or employment, nor will it lead to a decrease in the cost of postage. The universal service obligation, which guarantees five days a week delivery to every address in the country, comes under threat. We must protect this critical element of the Irish market which provides the same service to everyone in the country at the same price. There are significant doubts as to whether there will be any interest from private operators. To date, there has been no contact from any private operator inquiring about the prices which An Post may charge for access to the service.
In my view, the most important aspect of the existing postal service is the contribution to rural communities. The introduction of the provision would have a significantly negative impact in this regard. The postmen and postwomen call regularly to isolated rural homes. This provides an important social outlet for the elderly and provides security and peace of mind for thousands. The liberalisation of the postal service would seriously jeopardise this important social service. It must be remembered that 40% of the population is rural and widely dispersed. The most probable outcome of opening the market would be widespread cherry-picking of the more profitable urban routes, leading to the neglect of rural areas. This is of significant concern to me.
I welcome certain elements of the Bill. The introduction of post codes is long overdue. Ireland is the only OECD country which does not have a national post code system. The introduction will undoubtedly benefit businesses and consumers and emergency services.
We must be prepared to learn lessons from the international experience. We need to examine events in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Ireland cannot afford the inevitable job losses which will occur. We need to support An Post which already offers very competitive prices. Most important, we must maintain the valuable services provided by postmen and postwomen in rural Ireland, as I have outlined.
It seems to me that some of this legislation we have introduced in the past few years has had a very negative impact on rural Ireland. In fact, I would go so far as to say that rural Ireland has taken a bit of a hammering in this respect. We must not isolate these communities further by doing anything that would jeopardise them.
]]>As of 1 January, Ireland has had in excess of 6,000 tonnes of extra mackerel quota to allocate. It is time for the Minister to make an equitable decision to allocate the entire mackerel quota increase for 2011 to the polyvalent fleet. This would bring the polyvalent share of the overall quota to 20%.
I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Connick, on his achievements at EU level before Christmas. The Minister has been very willing to meet industry representatives and for this I am grateful. However, I remind the Minister of the very positive socio-economic impact of increasing the polyvalent share of the mackerel quota.
The polyvalent fleet lands its catches wholly into Ireland, where the benefits to the economy from onshore value-added may be maximised. The RSW fleet lands approximately 80% of its mackerel catch abroad, with only approximately 20% being landed in Ireland. Switching landings to Ireland from abroad would lead to the creation of many extra jobs in the economy based on the expansion arising from the increased activity of the polyvalent fleet. The additional mackerel landed in Ireland would result in an overall increase in output throughout the economy. The coastal communities, which are areas of high unemployment, would be the main beneficiaries. The processing sector would add great value and there would be an increase in exports. In simple terms, it would mean extra jobs, extra salaries and extra disposable income.
The landing of catches abroad represents a leakage from the economy. In other words, the Irish economy does not get the opportunity to add value to fish landed abroad. It is bad enough to have the Spanish and French fleets fishing our waters and landing their catches abroad without our own fleet reciprocating.
The economy would benefit enormously if the entire 10% of the extra quota were allocated to the polyvalent fleet. As I have outlined, it would result in a significant increase in net output and create much-needed jobs in peripheral areas. I strongly urge the Minister of State to allocate the entire mackerel quota increase for 2011 to the polyvalent fleet so that we can begin the regeneration of our coastal communities. I urge him to take action.
]]>Since the flooding of last year the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, has visited the town on more than one occasion. He has been more than willing to meet and reassure us that the OPW will not be found wanting when it comes to funding. The Minister of State is due to visit Skibbereen again this weekend to address the national flood forum, which is appropriate. There is no doubt that he is committed to providing funding that will address this situation. He has announced funding for Cork County Council to conduct a study that will identify the flood relief measures that will alleviate the flooding issues of Skibbereen. We realise that the new sewerage scheme has made this necessary. While this funding is welcome, my concern is about the amount of time this will take and what can be done in the interim.
To the people of Skibbereen it appears as if nothing has happened since the events of last year and no work has been done on any section of the River Ilen this year. This brings me to the main point of tonight’s motion - that funding for minor flood relief works be provided immediately. I understand that Cork County Council has made an application for an early warning system. While I accept this is a necessary step, it will provide little relief to the people of Skibbereen because there is no work going on in the river.
While the study to identify the major works is vital, I am confident along with the people of Skibbereen that there are at least three physical improvements that could be carried out prior to the results of any survey as follows. There should be the selective removal of gravel, built up in the realigned channel between Kennedy Bridge, New Bridge and the Curragh Bridge. This is high priority and would cost approximately €100,000. Improvements should be made to culverts crossing Mardyke Road at an estimated cost of €10,000. Existing culverts across Townshend Street should be extended and a new inlet chamber and screens upstream of Townshend Street should be constructed which would cost an estimated €150,000. The total cost of these the works would come to €260,000, which is well within the figure announced by the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, for minor flood relief works.
I have spoken at length with members of Skibbereen flood committee who are confident these works would make a significant difference and go a long way to reducing the risk of flooding. It is reported that in a meeting between the OPW and Cork County Council it was stated that these measures would not be considered, but I urge the OPW to revisit this possibility.
Throughout Munster, towns are benefiting from minor flood relief to complete necessary work which is testament to the OPW’s commitment to flood relief. I am asking for similar flood relief measures to be carried out in Skibbereen immediately. I am asking for the OPW to re-engage with Cork County Council and address the three issues I have outlined. I would like to know if the relief schemes in Munster are being fully funded by OPW and if it is true that for Skibbereen it is suggested that 90% funding should come from the OPW with the additional funding coming from Cork County Council. I want to know what is the status of the study that has been undertaken and if the three suggestions I have made will be given serious consideration. It is vital that the people of Skibbereen can at last be confident that their plight is being addressed.
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