Vol. 472 No. 3
289 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the French concern at proposals for the reform of the postal service which many believe would lead to the abandonment of a universal postal service to rural and suburban areas; the plans, if any, which are proposed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23095/96]
The French concerns regarding certain elements of the EU proposals for the reform of the postal service are well known. The Telecommunications Council of 28 November failed to secure agreement on the proposals contained in the draft directive, which would, in any event, have led to the strengthening rather than the weakening of the universal service. The proposals contained, inter alia, a virtual legal guarantee of door to door delivery five days each week and a provision for the maintenance of adequate means of contact with the public by means of post offices, pillar boxes etc. If the failure to agree on a directive persists, it may be more threatening to operators because it creates uncertainty about the future operating environment, given the existing powers of the Commission under the Treaty.
