Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that An Post is seeking a tariff increase from ComReg; if he has satisfied himself with the performance of An Post management in delivering a world class quality of postal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8200/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that An Post applied for a price increase to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in May 2004. Under the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002, ComReg is the designated independent body responsible for pricing policy in the postal sector with regard to the universal service segment of the postal market. I have no function in any consideration of this matter nor in the timing of any decision by ComReg.

With regard to An Post delivering a world class quality of postal service, I refer to the last report published by ComReg on An Post's quality of service for the first nine months of 2004. The results for the third quarter were 78% for next day delivery, which shows an improvement on the results for the first six months at 70%. Improvement is notable in Dublin where the percentage of local mail delivered the next day was 82% compared with 80% for mail posted outside Dublin for local delivery.

I have made it clear to An Post that having secured substantial price increases in the recent past, the company should focus its efforts on providing quality services to customers, which is part of its universal service obligations.