Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 3

Written Answers. - Postal Deliveries.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

13 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that postal deliveries in the Dublin 6 area continue to be disrupted due to the introduction of a new sorting system; if his attention has further been drawn to the resultant difficulties being experienced by small businesses in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6494/95]

Ivor Callely

Question:

81 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the recent Dublin Chamber of Commerce survey on postal delivery times in the Dublin area; the views, if any, he has on the result of the survey; the progress, if any, that has been made with the process of implementing changes necessary to improve the time mail is delivered as outlined in the response to Parliamentary Question 201 from Deputy Callely on 21 February 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6609/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 81 together.

I am aware of the results of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce survey which covered the week 13-17 February 1995. I dealt with the substantive issues arising from this in my reply to Deputy Callely of 21 February 1995.

Since that date, I have met with the chairman and chief executive of An Post and emphasised the priority I attached to improving the quality of delivery service in the Dublin business areas, including Dublin 6. The chief executive informed me that extra staff and vehicles have already been deployed in the Dublin business areas in order to improve the time of delivery for customers. Further discussions regarding specific proposals for each Dublin business area will take place this week between the company and the union representing the staff working in the delivery offices serving the Dublin business areas. Both the company and the union fully understand the urgency of improving the time of delivery for business customers and fully agree that customers' needs must be met.

I am also aware that there were specific problems in the Dublin 6 area last week. I also expressed my concern to the chairman and chief executive about these difficulties. An Post informed me that they drafted in 30 extra staff to the Dublin 6 area on 22 March 1995 and all the backlog in mail there has now been cleared.