Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the service obligations of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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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. Statutory Instrument 616 of 2002 European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations provides that An Post is obliged to make one postal delivery per day on not less than five days a week to the homes and premises of every person resident within the state. In addition, Section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 provides that counter services should be provided for the company's own business and Government business.

In relation to the structures in place to meet such obligations, it is the responsibility of An Post to ensure that these are in place. Furthermore, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), is the regulatory body 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.