Vol. 472 No. 5
8 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, being taken to reform the postal service; and if he will make a statement on the implications of any such change for rural services, post offices and jobs. [21689/96]
Government policy is to provide a high quality, reliable and efficient nationwide postal service able to compete in increasingly liberalised future markets.
My predecessor requested An Post to review its future strategic policy. This review was carried out in 1995 with the assistance of Price Waterhouse. Its recommendations were adopted by the board of An Post as the basis for future development. The implication for rural services, offices and jobs is an operational matter for An Post and one in which I have no function.
I wish the Minister well in his new position. Have the proposals submitted by the Irish Presidency to deregulate postal services within the European Union been withdrawn and, if not, will they be withdrawn given that France and Germany are extremely concerned about the effects of liberalisation in those countries on rural services, rural post offices and jobs? Should we not also be concerned? What stance will the Minister take? Will it reflect the views expressed here or will he go along with what the majority decides? Given the level of rural depopulation and the importance of primary services to rural communities, will he give us an assurance that these proposals would not lead to job losses or a reduction in services in rural areas? Will he take into account the difficulties experienced in other countries and give us an assurance that he will seek the best possible deal? The service provided by rural post offices is appreciated in my constituency.
The draft EU directive focuses, among other matters, on ensuring a five day delivery service and a sufficient density of contract points to meet the requirements of users of the service. It was part of the Presidency's function to see if ways could be found of reaching agreement to progress the matter further. A great deal of work remains to be done. It is our policy to provide a high quality, reliable and efficient nationwide postal service able to compete in an increasingly liberalised market. The postal service does not operate in isolation. We will participate in the work on the directive with a view to ensuring it will not impede our ability to deliver the service required.
France and Germany have a difficulty with these proposals because of the effect they would have on rural services, rural post offices and jobs in those countries. Should we not also have a difficulty with them?
I cannot speak for the Governments of other countries. There is one set of proposals for a draft directive on the table. These are the subject of negotiations and amendment. I have outlined our objective in relation to the framework we want to see in place. The directive should allow, encourage and help us, as appropriate, to deliver the postal service required. Other member states have objected to various aspects for different reasons. It would be tedious to go into the reasons they hold different views on these issues because, in some cases, they organise their services on a different basis.
Will the Minister do what he can to protect the interests of rural communities? Is he prepared to publish the Price Waterhouse report?
As a rural dweller, I have a great interest in ensuring rural postal services continue at their current level at least, although — I am sure the Deputy will sympathise with me — I leave home before the post arrives.
In Dublin the post does not arrive before 11 a.m.
Price Waterhouse was commissioned by An Post to carry out this study. Under the legislation, which was introduced by a Government of which I was a member and implemented by a Government of which Deputy Brennan was a member, An Post is a separate, sovereign, independent State body and I cannot tell it what to do.
Is the Minister aware that it was an Irish Presidency proposal to which the French objected on the grounds that it would lead to the decimation of rural post offices in that country? Will he arrange for his Department not to proceed with it?
I did not think fatigue would lead the Deputy to extending such a crass invitation. These were the proposals on the table which were progressed by the Irish Presidency. Objections to proposals may emerge at any point. It may happen that the Netherlands Presidency will face an Irish or a British objection to proposals.
They objected to our proposals.
The Deputy knows he is scraping the bottom of the barrel to find a case to make.
I tabled 16 parliamentary questions but only one was answered. Has the Minister received the report from the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Doyle, on the postal and delivery service and what action has been taken following the report?
I agree with the Deputy's complaint about parliamentary questions. That is bound to happen if Deputies keep rehashing ground which has been gone over. There is nothing I can do about it because if I do not answer Deputies, they will give out to me. I have not read the report to which the Deputy referred and, therefore, I am not in a position to comment on it.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
