Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has issued policy directives through An Post, directly or through the Regulator, in regard to the future development of the postal and packaging services throughout the country having due regard for compliance with EU directives and the retention of a nationwide efficient and cost effective postal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have issued no policy directions to An Post, either directly, or through the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in recent times in relation to the development of the postal services.

An Post operates within a regulatory framework as enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore, the universal service obligation, which includes nationwide postal delivery requirements, is a statutory requirement for An Post, as the designated universal service provider. This is set out in Statutory Instrument 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations.

The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the provisions of S.I. 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring the levels of service to be achieved by An Post and ensuring that the company abides by its statutory universal service obligations.

Furthermore, the regulations also provide for the liberalisation of the postal sector. Liberalisation has already commenced and the current postal directive is due to expire on 31 December 2008 and the postal market will, subject to political agreement, be fully liberalised across the EU on 1 January 2009.

Issues that will be important for Ireland in the context of any new directive will include the protection of the universal service in a liberalised market, ensuring that Irish citizens continue to receive a broad suite of postal services and the continued viability of An Post in the face of open competition.