Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has occurred in preparation for the transposition of the forthcoming Third Postal Directive into Irish law by 31 December 2010; if he will undertake a comprehensive review and consolidation of all legislation affecting the postal sector as part of this process; if so, the time scale involved; what impediments he envisages as affecting the prospects of achieving end-to-end competition in the postal market here; and the action he will take to address them. [7594/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Once the Third Postal Directive has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the coming weeks, I intend to hold a public consultation process examining the key issues arising from the Directive. The results of the consultation process will assist my thinking with respect to the transposition of the directive into Irish law, including any possible consolidation of existing postal legislation.

With respect to the development of competition, Ireland's dispersed population pattern means that even in the event of market opening, competition will not necessarily develop immediately. It is unlikely that a competitor would establish an end-to-end solution to compete directly with An Post on a nationwide basis, a view which is supported by a number of international studies.

However, this issue, along with the other key issues including that of ensuring a universal access to a broad suite of high-quality postal services, will be examined in full in the context of the transposition of the postal directive. It is my intention that the consultation process will be completed in good time to enable the directive to be transposed by the due date.