Noel Grealish
Ceist:172 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the employees of An Post will receive the increases due to them under the various national wage agreements. [16043/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 May 2005
Ceisteanna (174)
Freagraí scríofa
An Post is a commercial State body and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function. An Post has a remit to be financially viable and following significant losses, which amounted to €43 million in 2003 alone, An Post management invoked the inability to pay clause provided for in Sustaining Progress.
The key challenge for the company is to return to long-term financial stability. In this regard, An Post unions and management are involved in intensive negotiations with the assistance of the State's industrial relations machinery in a bid to agree a recovery plan that will put the company on a sound footing. The question of Sustaining Progress related payments are being addressed in the Labour Relations Commission brokered process. An agreement on a viable recovery plan will enable An Post to deliver quality services to our citizens, while at the same time providing sustainable well-paid employment for its staff.