Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy in respect of the structure and operation of An Post and the postal service in the aftermath of deregulation; if such issues have been the subject of or are likely to become the subject of discussions between his Department, other Departments, groups, bodies or agencies; if discussions have taken place with staff at various levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23426/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Irish Postal market is due to be liberalised from the 1st of January next year in accordance with the 3rd EU Postal Services Directive. Following comprehensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, legislation to transpose this Directive has been prepared and will be brought to Government shortly.

In designing the new regulatory framework, the key principles are the maintenance of a universal postal service and the provision of competitively priced high quality postal services to both business and residential customers.

In the case of An Post, it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high quality, nationwide postal service and maintain a nationwide, customer focussed network of post offices.

My officials and I meet regularly with An Post management to discus issues of importance to An Post, including the future of the company. However, structural, operational and staff issues in An Post are the responsibility of the board and management of the company and, as with other postal service providers, are not matters in which I have a direct role.