Written answers
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Postal Services Regulation
10:00 pm
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Postal Services Bill will ensure proper licensing and regulation to protect the integrity of the postal service; if new entrants to the postal market will be allowed to have access to the An Post network; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the legislation will reflect recognition of the social value of the postal network here as a vital public service and an essential part of the social fabric of our communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20700/11]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The postal market has been open to competition since 1 January 2011 under the Third Postal Services Directive. The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill seeks to put in place a robust and appropriate regulatory framework to reflect the key provisions of this Directive and offer certainty and protection to An Post, its competitors, and postal service users. The Bill has passed Seanad and Committee Stages in Dáil Éireann, and Report and Final Stages will be taken this week.
While reputation and trustworthiness is for postal service providers to earn from their customers, the Bill amends the objectives of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in the exercise of its functions to include promoting the interests of postal service users.
The Bill provides for effective regulation of all postal service providers and introduces certain changes to the present system of authorisation. All providers of postal services will be required to register with ComReg, to have complaints and redress procedures in place, and to submit requisite information to ComReg on request.
The Bill also provides, in order to assist the development of fair competition, that postal service providers have the right to negotiate access to the An Post network on a commercial basis and it sets out a role for ComReg only where agreement cannot be reached. I believe that this is the right approach.
Reflecting the key role the postal service plays at a socio-economic level, a key principle of the Bill is the continuing provision and maintenance of the universal postal service, the essential element of which is the collection and delivery of mail to every home and premises throughout the State on every working day.
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