Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the safeguards he will put in place in anticipation of the liberalisation of the postal market after January 2009 to ensure that the universal service obligation is protected without allowing commercial providers to cherry pick lucrative postal areas to the detriment of servicing more costly, remote areas. [11482/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The draft third postal directive, which is currently being discussed at the European Council and European Parliament, proposes to maintain the universal service obligation at its current level, a position which Ireland endorses. Maintenance of the universal service and the availability of a high quality postal service to Irish consumers are issues of key importance to Ireland in the context of liberalisation of the postal market.

No decision has been taken yet regarding what measures, if any, will be necessary to safeguard the universal service. I intend to hold a public consultation addressing this and other issues arising from the draft directive.