Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 397: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Question No. 498 of 21 October 2008, when he will publish legislation that will transpose the third postal directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37079/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the transposition process in relation to the Third Postal Directive is at an early stage, I am unable at this time to give a precise timeframe as to the publication of legislation transposing the Directive. While the Directive provides for the completion of the liberalisation of the postal sector EU-wide, a number of key decisions as to its transposition are being left to individual Member States. These relate to 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.

Following on from the recently held public consultation process, the next step will be an analysis of the submissions received in response to the consultation with a view to drafting proposals on the legal framework which will apply in a liberalised market. Such draft legislative proposals will be subject to a regulatory impact analysis and will include further engagement with interested stakeholders on issues arising from the process. Given the nature of many of the issues to be considered, primary legislation will be required to transpose the Directive into Irish law. In this regard and because most of the current postal legislation predates competition, a consolidation and review of the existing postal legislation is also being considered in the context of the transposition process.