Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent, if any, to which he has had discussions with An Post in the aftermath of de-regulation in the context of the extent and scale of delivery and counter services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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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.

I have no function with respect to the provision of counter services by An Post. Section 12 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983 requires the company to provide counter services for its own and Government business and other uses that the company sees fit.

My officials and I meet regularly with An Post management to discuss issues of importance to An Post, including issues relating to market opening. The universal service obligation, enshrined in European and Irish law, provides that each Member State is obliged to provide a postal service whereby the minimum level of service that must be provided is a clearance and delivery every working day to the home or premises of every person. Under Irish regulations, An Post is designated as the Universal Service provider. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill which will put the regulatory framework in place for a liberalised sector provides for the continued designation of An Post.