Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)

I agree with most of the points made by Senator O'Toole. The purpose of the amendment, as the Minister is aware, is to ensure the public continues to get an efficient postal service and that sustainable jobs are not undermined. The Senator is quite right on the regulation issue and he spoke about the taxi industry as an example. There is no appeal mechanism within that industry. I ask the Minister to consider the matter and include the wording in the amendment of "unless otherwise determined by the Minister".

Ministers now have very little responsibility in some of these areas and, when queried, many Minister's will indicate a matter should be dealt with through the regulator. I do not see much wrong with the amendment, and it would provide a necessary safeguard in that the Minister could be left to determine a matter. As an example, a regulator may seek to increase the price of stamps by 50% and nothing could be done about it because the decision is final. I would like some kind of safeguard whereby the Minister could adjudicate on the matter and which could be determined by him or her.