Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - An Post Staff.

Richard Bruton

Question:

247 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the status of the assurance given to An Post workers that they would retain their Civil Service status after the company was established as a semi-State body outside of the Civil Service structure; if the Government has plans to alter the present ownership structure of An Post and in the event of any change in the ownership of An Post, that arrangements will be made to protect the rights of workers who enjoy the protection of Civil Service status at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18965/02]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

Under section 45 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, the conditions of service of Civil Service staff who transferred to An Post cannot be changed except in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned. At present the State is the sole shareholder in An Post. The Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was published last year, provides for the sale and disposal of shares in the company. The legislation is necessary in the context of the employee share option programme, which is an integral part of the transformation process agreed between management and the unions in An Post, to achieve cost savings in exchange for a 14.9% shareholding by employees and in the event of the company entering into a strategic alliance with another postal operator in the EU, given the further liberalisation of the European postal market.

There are no proposals to repeal or amend section 45 of the 1983 Act.