Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether his threat to privatise the postal services was helpful in the context of negotiations between An Post, management and workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34513/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have made no announcements, nor do I have any proposals, regarding the privatisation of An Post and I wish to see An Post continue in State ownership playing a significant role in the Irish postal sector.

I have however, highlighted to the company, the unions and consumers that the EU postal directives, transposed into Irish law, envisage full liberalisation, subject to political agreement, of the postal market in 2009. Furthermore, in light of the uncertainty at the company and the recent vote for industrial action which could lead to a serious disruption to postal services, I am considering all options open to me, up to and including early liberalisation of the sector, to limit the disruption caused to the sector and the economy at large as a result of any prolonged period of industrial action.