Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill has been dropped from his Department's list of legislative proposals; if the proposed legislation has been shelved due to a particular development or lack thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5449/07]

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 experienced significant losses that led to the adoption of a recovery strategy by the board. Implementation of the recovery strategy, which included negotiation of a new industrial relations agreement in order to return the company to sustained profitably became the key focus in relation to An Post. As a result, the Postal Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, the objective of which was to give statutory effect to the ESOP, was withdrawn from the Dáil Order paper on the basis of the uncertain IR and financial situation prevailing in An Post.

Nevertheless, 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.