Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The Minister of State misses the point as it is precisely for the reasons he mentioned about innovation and moving forward. It is to ensure people take a long view in respect of making changes. While I am open to correction, my understanding is that ComReg will make a decision on service levels and the form of service. As the Minister of State noted, the universal service obligation is covered in the legislation and while Members may have had marginal arguments about attributes of it, all agree on its core. I refer to the type of service and the introduction of innovation and new technology, which of course should be part of that. My understanding, and the Minister of State should correct me if I am wrong, is that this is a matter for the regulator. In other words, the regulator will determine the type of service, information flow, etc. that will be determined and the provider will simply deliver on it. This will be the same as what happens in respect of ComReg's other arrangements for telecommunications and so on. I believe the Minister of State and I have discussed how this works with the regulator in other committee meetings. This is my understanding and if I am incorrect, the Minister of State certainly is right to criticise me. This is my understanding, however, and it is how it was explained to me in earlier discussions and in respect of any briefing I received.

I certainly agree completely that we must use all such innovations. The intention of the amendments was to facilitate long-term planning. I approached this from the perspective of what happened in Eircom, which people entered and left simply for a fast buck. People should commit for a longer term and such a commitment means putting in place things that will last for a longer term. One of the most important developments in An Post is the manner in which it has reduced the number of employees. It has shown good intentions with regard to developing a lean operation, a good service and making it work.

Consequently, my aim in this regard is to do precisely that. I agree with the point made by the Minister of State. Lest there be any indication that I only desire people to continue doing things the way they always have done them, I reiterate that my intention is to ensure people make a longer-term commitment. Introducing technology often requires longer-term preparations and one has seen repeatedly that companies, especially private sector suppliers, will not wish to invest in changes in scenarios in which they might find themselves out of the marketplace two or three years later. This was my point of view. I do not mind whether the 20-year period I have proposed is staggered in some way or if some kind of intermediate or intervening period is introduced. I wish to ensure that whatever entity is in place considers the long term and not simply the short term. This was my perspective and I agree with the Minister of State's point of view. If it is not a requirement of ComReg to ensure the use of the most up-to-date methods, innovations and information technology, then I agree with the Minister of State that it certainly should be.