Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 136: 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; the 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. [10560/08]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed timescale for implementation of the third postal directive, including the length of time the public consultation will last; if it will include strict deadlines; when he expects the directive to be transposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10685/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 140 together.

The Third Postal Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 February 2008 and is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. I intend to hold, shortly, a public consultation process examining the key issues arising from the Directive. I anticipate that the consultation will be held over an eight-week period, with a definite deadline for receipt of submissions in place. The results of this process will assist my thinking with respect to the transposition of the directive into Irish law, including any possible consolidation of existing postal legislation, which is currently under consideration. The deadline for transposition of the Directive is 31 December 2010 and, at this time, I am not aware of any reason that would delay transposition.

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 that is supported by a number of international studies. However, this issue, will be examined in full in the context of the transposition of the postal directive.