Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding his contracts with the workers representatives in respect of issues raised with them regarding An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27902/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that An Post plays a key role, both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider through its nationwide network of post office outlets. However, there is universal agreement that change is required if the postal services of An Post are to adapt to the modern business environment and to continue to offer a top class nationwide delivery service to the customer into the future.

With this in mind, the board and management of An Post have presented a recovery plan, incorporating details of proposed new collection and delivery arrangements, which I believe is vital to the re-establishment of the company on a more secure financial footing. The plan has assumed significant changes in work practices, tariff increases and the payment of wage increases. It sets out the way forward for the company. Adoption of restructuring that delivers real change is the only way that An Post can re-establish itself on a firm financial footing.

In order to progress the change agenda, I have met twice with representatives of the main union in An Post, the Communications Workers Union, CWU, and met also with representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, on a total of three occasions. I have listened with interest to the views of all parties concerned in relation to the future of the network and I have emphasised to all parties the importance of an early start to the company's modernisation and that management and staff sides must engage directly in order to resolve longstanding and deep-seated problems besetting the company.