Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the source of information he used for the briefing document he circulated regarding the An Post dispute. [34543/05]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the briefing document he circulated to backbenchers on the An Post dispute represents a fair assessment of the situation. [34542/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 172 together.

Deputies will be aware that a briefing note was circulated in respect of the proposed industrial action by CWU workers in An Post. This document was circulated as I felt it important that Deputies be informed of the background and the facts relating to the industrial relations climate in An Post. The briefing note included information on the background to the current industrial relations position, the commitment of the Government to An Post continuing to be a strong player in the Irish postal market, the intensive industrial relations process that has taken place to date, examples of work practices that need to be changed within the company and examples of change agreements in the company over the last few years which have been paid for and not delivered.

As is the usual practice across the public service, officials in my Department prepared the briefing note based on information, some of which was obtained from the company and some of which was already in the Department. This is the normal practice in any public body for collating briefing documents of this nature. The briefing document that was circulated outlines the facts as they are and provides examples of the outdated work practices that are in existence in An Post. As I have stated on many occasions, for An Post to survive and prosper into the future it must become an efficient and effective company.