Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

The postmen are represented by the CWU.

With regard to the transposition of regulations, we are in a unique position. Ireland is an island off an island off mainland Europe. Whatever position the Minister decides upon in the interests of the Irish people to guarantee the continuation of a universal postal service must be adopted. The European Union is not checking every line in this regard. It has no control over this legislation as far as I know. It is a question of transposing an EU regulation into Irish law.

This is only the start of this issue. I hope the Minister has more success than we had in regard to the banning of the eel fisheries which led to a closure for 90 years. This is painful in so far as my area is concerned. That represented very extreme transposition of EU regulations. In the circumstances that obtain, the Minister should accept the phrase "trade union" or "union representing the workers".