Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to reports from the UK that deregulation of the postal market had delivered no benefits to most customers and put the finances of the State owned postal company under severe strain; if there are lessons to be learned from the UK experience; if so, the steps he will take to address them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21391/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As regards the recent report relating to the effects of deregulation on the UK postal market, I do not propose to comment specifically on the development of postal sectors in other jurisdictions.

With respect to the liberalisation of the Irish postal sector, set to be completed by 1st January 2011, my Department is currently conducting a public consultation process on the key issues arising from the recently published EU Directive which sets out the terms for the full liberalisation of the postal sector, EU-wide. The consultation process is due to close on the 9th of July.

Of key importance for Ireland is to facilitate competition and the provision of high-quality, competitively-priced postal services whilst ensuring the protection of universal service in a liberalised market so that all postal consumers will have access to a basic, high quality suite of services.

Along with the views submitted by stakeholders and interested parties in response to the consultation questions, I also intend to look at the experiences in other countries that have already fully liberalised their postal markets. In this context I will take account, as appropriate, of the findings of the reports referred to in the Deputy's question. This process will assist my thinking with respect to the key issues to be considered in the transposition of the Directive into Irish law, and help ensure that it is done in a manner most appropriate to the Irish context.