Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)

I agree with the previous speaker. The section should read "one delivery to the home or premises of every person in the State". Will the Minister indicate what constitutes an appropriate installation?

There are certain circumstances in which a postman or postwoman may not be in a position to deliver mail each day. In the first instance, a postman or postwoman is not legally obliged to deliver mail if a dog which he or she considers to be dangerous is at large. In addition, if a packet does not fit through someone's letter-box or into their post box, they must be brought back to the post office. When I was involved with An Post, a postman or postwoman who could not deliver an item was obliged to return on the two subsequent days to try to deliver it before leaving a note for the addressee advising him or her to go to the post office to collect it.

It is not possible to guarantee that everything will be delivered, particularly in light of the examples I have outlined. A common sense approach is, therefore, needed. The phrase "as the Commission considers appropriate" is used in section 16. Why should the Commission for Communications Regulation consider what is and is not appropriate? Is it the case that if it is raining or snowing heavily or if it is extremely frosty, then post need not be delivered? That just does not make sense. How and when would the commission make decisions in this regard? Who in the commission will be responsible for such decisions? The relevant provision is nonsense and I do not know why it is included in the Bill.