Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I want to raise the forthcoming postal services Bill that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is proposing to bring before this House. A number of us have received representations from postal workers because some 10,000 jobs are at stake in this sector. An Post provides an excellent and efficient service with a next-day delivery rate of nearly 90%. We have suffered in the past owing to privatisation and market liberalisation. The universal service order is in place and is being looked after by An Post. I am concerned that rural areas will suffer if this market is opened up. The EU's recycle 16 directive should be put in place in order that social considerations would be taken into account when this Bill is being formulated. We should ensure postal services in rural Ireland are looked after in order that those services, which we appreciate but take for granted, will remain. I ask the Leader to revert to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on that matter. We should have consensus in this House in supporting our postal workers and the excellent postal service.