Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when it is intended to re-enter the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2001 on the Order Paper of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that was published in 2001 provided for the issue, sale and disposal of shares in An Post in the context of an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, and possible strategic alliance. The Bill also contained ancillary provisions arising out of a possible change of ownership.

The financial and industrial relations environment in An Post has changed substantially since 2001. The company has experienced significant losses that have led to the adoption of a recovery strategy by the board. The implementation of the recovery strategy is contingent on agreement with the trade unions on restructuring. Negotiations have been ongoing with the trade unions for over a year now and critical aspects are being considered by the Labour Court. With the financial and industrial relations situation in An Post at a delicate and critical stage, it is appropriate to defer consideration of the issues provided for in the Bill until these matters are resolved. For this reason, a decision has been made, in conjunction with the Chief Whip, to withdraw the Bill from the Dáil Order Paper. The motion was passed in the Dáil in March this year.

The Government and I remain fully committed to an ESOP in An Post if it can be demonstrated that real business transformation can occur in the context of the recovery strategy. If and when this is achieved, the legislative agenda can be revisited.