Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the public service obligations upon An Post in the postal service it is required to deliver to rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16368/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act, 2011, designates An Post as the universal postal service provider in the newly liberalised postal services market. This designation, which is for a period of twelve years, will be reviewed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) to decide whether the designation of An Post after the expiry of the first seven years should continue for the remainder of the twelve years, whether other postal operators should be designated or that no designation is required in order to fulfil the universal service obligation. Designation requires An Post to provide a minimum level of postal service throughout the State, the essential element of which is the collection and delivery of mail to every address on every working day, which is effectively each day from Monday to Friday.