Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleague on amendment No. 5. As the Senator mentioned, we are only supporting Fine Gael and Labour in their commitments in the programme for Government. As I indicated in my opening address, that document was produced only four months ago. I do not know what has happened in the meantime but the parties have rowed back on that commitment.

I fear that we are teeing up An Post for privatisation, which may not equate to a better service. I do not know if that is the objective of the European Union but we will be bowing to the gods of commercialism while ensuring that rural Ireland does not receive the service it had up until the implementation of this EU directive. We will support the amendment because, ironically, it supports Fine Gael and Labour. That is a turn-up for the books but I am sure Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators will vote against their own programme for Government. That is politics. I second the amendment.