Ivan Yates
Question:128 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the up to date position in relation to the implementation of the EU postal directives; and the likely effect on An Post of their implementation. [19349/99]
Written Answers. - EU Directives.
A statutory instrument, which will give formal effect to the postal directive in Irish law, is being prepared by my Department.
In February this year I announced that, in accordance with the requirements of the directive and pending its formal transposal into Irish law, with effect from the 10 February 1999 postal items weighing 350 grams or more or costing at least five times the basic letter rate 30p for 25 grams would be subject to competition. A similar threshold is applicable to liberalised services in the cross-Border and direct mail segments of the market. I also announced that An Post will continue to provide a universal postal service.
The part liberalisation of this segment of the market exposes to competition approximately £20 million of An Post's annual revenue. An Post is confident that the company will be able to meet the challenges which will arise in the context of the liberalisation of the postal sector under the terms of the directive.