Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is duplication in services in An Post and ComReg in the area of postal service monitoring; the function of ComReg in monitoring postal service quality; if this is standard industry practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26533/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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One of the cornerstones of the EU Directives that set out the regulatory framework for the postal sector is that Member States establish independent national regulatory authorities. The Directives also require independent performance monitoring of universal service providers in relation to quality of service. In Ireland, ComReg is the independent regulatory authority responsible for the regulation of the postal sector.

Under the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002, ComReg is responsible for setting and monitoring quality of service standards in relation to the universal postal service, and can issue directions to An Post under these regulations to ensure compliance with quality of service targets. The meeting of the quality of service targets set by ComReg is a matter for the board and management of the company. An Post, as a commercial body, may monitor its own performance across a number of different indicators, including quality of service.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is duplication of services between ComReg and the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the investigation of postal consumer complaints; the roles of each of these bodies in relation to post complaints as laid out in legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26534/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Office of the Ombudsman, which falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance, investigates complaints about the administrative actions of Government Departments and other public bodies, including An Post and its role is set out in the Ombudsman Act of 1980. The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which was established under the Communications Regulation Act of 2002, is responsible under the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002, S. I. 616 of 2002, for setting out guidelines on how An Post handles consumer complaints.

There is an agreed Memorandum of Understanding that facilitates cooperation between ComReg and the Office of the Ombudsman in the performance of their respective functions with a view to ensuring consistency of advice and avoiding any duplication of effort.