James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the consultation process on the postal sector; if he will provide a detailed timetable of when he plans to publish a report and to undertake the first action in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28227/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The consultation process on the liberalisation of the postal sector was launched by my Department on 29th April. It invites views from the public on the key issues and the key decisions to be made for Ireland arising from EU Directive, EC/2008/6, which sets out the date and terms of the full liberalisation of the postal market, EU-wide. While a number of EU States received a derogation to 1st January 2013, the date set for full market opening for the majority of countries, including Ireland, is 1st January 2011. Key issues to be considered in the context of the liberalisation of the Irish market are the financing of the Universal Service Obligation in a liberalised market, the regulatory regime to be put in place with respect to price and quality of service, issues relating to access to An Post's network and matters relating to the promotion of competition.

All views and submissions received under the consultation process will be considered in the context of the transposition of the Directive into Irish law, including any possible consolidation of existing postal legislation, which is currently under review. The deadline for transposition of the Directive is 31st December 2010.

As part of the ongoing work on the transposition process, my Department will also be undertaking a Regulatory Impact Assessment.