Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will issue a directive to ComReg to ensure that the postal universal service obligation is upheld and that the next day delivery rate target of 94% is met; if he has received information from ComReg or An Post regarding the conflicting accounts of the actual next day delivery rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23058/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service in An Post are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of the company and one in which I have no statutory function.

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

The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with these regulations, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring the levels of service achieved by An Post and ensuring that the company abides by its statutory universal service obligations.

The regulations provide that ComReg may issue directions to An Post in relation to its obligations including quality of service targets. In the event that ComReg is of the belief that An Post, as universal service provider, is not in compliance with such a direction, it may, under the current regulatory framework, apply to the High Court requesting an order to direct An Post to comply with the direction. This Government, as set out clearly in the Programme for Government, wants to see much improved next day delivery rates. The Programme states also that ComReg should be empowered to impose financial penalties in the event that delivery targets are not met. I am currently considering the options available in this regard.

In regard to the methodology used to measure quality of service, I understand that An Post and ComReg are currently working together to ensure that a uniform methodology is used for this measurement.