Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Amendments Nos. 8 and 9 which insert the words "in weight" after "kilograms" are being made for clarification purposes and to improve the text of the Bill. During last week's debate Senator O'Toole questioned the amendments, suggesting the inclusion of the words "in weight" would create legal uncertainty about legislation which referred to weight but did not include the words "in weight". However, the Parliamentary Counsel has assured us that the amendments are being made for the purposes of correcting the drafting.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I am always keen to learn from the deliberations of the Seanad. It is news to me that a kilogram is defined by reference to the international prototype. Whenever I come to the Seanad, I am impressed by Members' knowledge. However, I must defer to the Parliamentary Counsel, with whom my officials communicated following the debate on this matter last week. The Parliamentary Counsel has confirmed that this is the correct drafting. While it may appear to us that the Parliamentary Counsel operates in a different language or parallel universe, I must on this occasion defer to their wisdom. I thank the Senator for his contribution on the matter, from which I have learned. I will endeavour to feed it into future deliberations in addressing the issue of weight in legislation.

Dan Boyle (Green Party)
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Amendments Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, 16 and 16a are related to amendment No. 11 and all will be discussed together.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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It is not proposed to accept the amendments. I have, however, given further consideration to amendment No. 14 and, following consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, have tabled amendment No. 16a to give effect to the spirit of that amendment.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State's acceptance of the spirit of amendment No. 14. I am happy that is the case because we should maintain a democratic basis for what we are doing. The ultimate authority in the State should be the Oireachtas which should have the power to review and make decisions.

I strongly support amendment No. 11 to which my name is also appended following discussions with Senator O'Toole who cited a number of private sector contracts involving significant commitments in terms of resources, planning, finance and personnel. He also identified that the providers had been given contracts of much longer duration than seven years, which is a logical way to approach them. International research suggests this country will only be able to sustain one universal service provider and it should be written in stone for the longest possible period that it should be An Post. If private operators are allowed into the market, we will end up with a more expensive postal service, regional disparity in the cost of delivery of letters, job losses, a loss of €100 million of taxpayer's money which has been invested in four automated mail centres, placing 2,000 jobs at risk. While mail services might become cheaper for large organisations, there is a risk of increased costs for ordinary consumers and SMEs.

Everybody's mantra nowadays is that there is a need to reduce costs. However, there is a risk that we could contribute to increased costs. If the contract is not written in stone for a more reasonable period of 20 years, we could put at risk the USO, which would be an horrendous outcome, given the dispersed population in rural Ireland and on the islands. No provision should be included in the legislation that could put the USO at risk. It is critically necessary that everybody in the country receives his or her mail on a next day basis or as close to this as possible. The percentage of next day deliveries is high; An Post should be congratulated on its success to date. People should receive their post the next day, no matter where they live for the same cost, irrespective of who or what they are. We will not have served the people well if anything jeopardises this.

This is sensitive day in the country's history. People are in raw form and it would not contribute to their good humour if they observed the Oireachtas doing anything to undermine the USO, nor would it be right. Senator O'Toole made a sound commercial argument in favour of the amendment. I strongly support his practical business argument by highlighting the desirability of the maintenance of the USO, jobs in An Post, investment in the automated mail centres and a low cost postal service for everybody, not just for a few major organisations. The other amendments set out to achieve the same objective.

I am pleased the Minister of State has accepted the spirit of my amendment, the objective of which is to make the Oireachtas the ultimate authority when it comes to making decisions on the USO or any other aspect of the postal service. As was pointed out last week, the Oireachtas cannot micro-manage the service; nor is it suggested it should, for example, supervise the output at Belmullet on a given day. While that is not the objective, the Oireachtas should have overall oversight and overall democratic authority in this regard.

I make no apology for Members thrashing out this Bill thoroughly as they would be negligent otherwise. I will conclude by stating, however, that it is not simply a fanciful concept that the postal service should be preserved for everyone or that it should be preserved for as long as possible for everyone at the cheapest possible price. This is not a fanciful, nice concept of mine and a few other Members. It is not esoteric but is a real issue for real people who live in isolated places such as the backs of hills, etc. I refer to people who have chosen to live there, whose families lived there before them and who have a right to live there. Moreover, such people have a right to a postal service of equal standard as that available to those who live in Foxrock, Killiney or Dublin 4. This is not an unreasonable proposition and, if it is, there is something unreasonable about us.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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What I found disappointing about the contributions to the debate on these amendments is that there has been no mention of the seismic shift that has occurred over the past decade on foot of the advent of the Internet and electronic mail. It is disappointing that Members' contributions did not mention the way in which the world has changed over the last ten or 20 years. The seven-year designation is not a derogation from competition and competitors are not precluded from entering the letter post market from 1 January 2011. However, An Post has been designated since the year 2000, that is, ten years ago, under current regulations. An Post has held a monopoly since its establishment in 1983. It is not as though this measure is something new that has appeared out of nowhere as clear signals have been given over the past ten years that this would occur.

Senator O'Reilly suggested that there might be regional disparities. Nothing in the legislation suggests there would be regional disparities and the Senator is simply throwing up something that has no basis in the legislation as proposed. It is important to put on the record that universal service continues. There has been lengthy discussion, deliberation and debate on what would be an appropriate length of time and after the seven-year designation, ComReg is charged with reviewing the market and ensuring the universal service provision. As five-day delivery and clearance is guaranteed by the Bill and the directive, I consider seven years to be an appropriate timeframe. In designing the new framework, one must be cognisant of two key objectives, namely, the maintenance of universal service and the promotion of competition and innovation, and this Bill strikes a balance between them.

On the issue of amendment No. 16a, it does not exactly match Senator O'Reilly's suggestion to delay a ComReg decision not to designate before the Oireachtas. However, the proposed amendment No. 16a requires such a decision to be published in Iris Oifigiúil and for both the Minister and the European Commission to be notified, all in the interests of increased transparency.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I fully accept the Minister of State's thesis and Members would have taken that as a given. I believe reference was made on Second Stage that Members are more than aware of the degree to which information technology has caught on and is being used. In a way this makes it more necessary to be supportive of the universal service obligation and supportive of An Post. It will not simply face competition from private operators but also from information technology in the broad sense of developments with e-mails and so on. All Members are aware of this and all Members of this Parliament, myself included, albeit belatedly, have been obliged to adapt to and use new technology day to day. While no question arises in this regard, it underlines further the need to support An Post. I refer first to the need to support the universal service obligation on a statutory basis and, second, the need to support An Post.

I take the point made by the Minister of State in his response to me that it obviously is a given in the legislation that the universal service obligation continues. While it may be a given in words, Fine Gael's objective is to ensure the prevention of what happened in England and other countries. The Minister of State will be aware of studies in other countries that have brought in and given legislative effect to the European Union directive but which did not build in sufficient safeguards, which has resulted in the universal service obligation being threatened and in costs becoming prohibitive. Fine Gael is seeking to achieve the preservation of the universal service obligation by preserving a pitch on which it can survive. This is the reason I have tabled this proposal. I take it that amendment No. 16 will be dealt with later and that Members are dealing with amendments up to amendment No. 15?

Dan Boyle (Green Party)
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No, amendments Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, 16 and 16a are being discussed together.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Very well. Again, this point is expressed in my amendment No. 16, which includes the phrase, "and having regard to the cost to the consumer and to the quality of service". One does not want a situation to arise in which, between information technology on one side and private operators on the other, there is no provision for State support for An Post in a doomsday scenario. I acknowledge Members will discuss State support later. If no State support is to be forthcoming for An Post in a doomsday scenario, which is what the Bill proposes in its current form, if one accepts the reality of information technology being of great importance at present, and if one intends to allow in private operators, one is coming at the universal service obligation in a big way, which makes it all the more an imperative that this obligation be supported legislatively.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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In supporting necessary amendments, I am conscious that the amount of capital invested by An Post would indicate that we will have to be careful in how we designate the universal supplier. Seven years would not be sufficient under any banking terms. It would be a most unusual rate of return to get the capital returned over seven years. An Post has made significant capital investment in its markets, its computers and its people. While agreeing with what has previously been said, we must be conscious that there is a limited pool here. With that limited pool, new entrants will come in and try at every hand's turn to cherry pick the most profitable areas only.

The purpose of these amendments is to ensure a level playing field. If we do not get it right now, we will pay for it on an ongoing basis, just like the postal service in the UK. That is why I ask the Minister to consider extending the seven period to 20 years for the designation of a universal service provider, and to take on board what we previously mentioned, namely, the importance of An Post and its type of carriage. It really is a specialist area and we must be careful to assess the type of provider that is given a licence. There should be stringent regulations on who has responsibility for carrying Government cheques, cash or valuables in the post, and the form that would take.

Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Senator O'Toole and others that seven years is a short time. Eircom provides a good example of what has happened with all these new regulations. The service provided to the customer by Eircom has diminished drastically when compared with the service it provided ten years ago. It is very difficult to get a telephone fixed. It is very difficult to get a telephone in some parts of Dublin. One might have to wait two years, which is hard to believe, but I know it to be the case. A pilot scheme could go on for seven years to determine finances, to examine new technologies and so on.

ComReg plays an important role in this area as well. For example, it could designate An Post to look after Dublin 1 and Dublin 2. It could designate a competitor to look after Cork city. Naturally, we have to be careful with that. An Post has invested much money in its service, including millions of euro spent on new technology and so on in its main sorting office in Clondalkin. We want to avoid the situation that has already occurred in telecommunications whereby competitors can come in and piggyback on the infrastructure that has already been built up by the taxpayer. We cannot just throw all that away.

I fully support the extension from seven years. The period is too short. Senator O'Reilly pointed out that there are sustainable jobs at stake here. There are dedicated workers in An Post and they provide a good service to the public. We must ensure this continues.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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There has been a series of good contributions to the debate at this stage. Senator O'Reilly mentioned that costs are prohibitive in some jurisdictions. If he has examples of that, I ask him to bring them to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Ryan.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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The Royal Mail is having problems in England.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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If there are examples of prohibitive costs, let us look at them and tease out where things went wrong and learn from the experience. The Senator wondered whether I accept IT is very important. I think it is very important and I think it will be even more important in the years ahead. That is why An Post must be adaptable and innovative in the same way as other institutions, and must look at which way the wind is blowing and adapt to that.

We have had a debate on seven years and 30 years. There is a difference between a road project and the postal service. When a road is built, it is built from scratch and I can understand that if it is being financed from private sources, there must be a much longer lead-in time of 25 to 30 years for it. There is a much shorter timeline for using IT systems and mechanical systems for places like An Post. We cannot compare chalk with cheese in this instance. An Post has invested heavily in its services, but it is not correct to compare it to the major capital infrastructural projects that have gone on within the State over the last decade.

I accept the point made about learning the lessons of Eircom, making sure there is no quick fix solution that could be challenged in future years. The world is changing. I got rid of my Eircom line and I think many households in the State have done so. The biggest mistake we could make is to pretend the world has not changed and that things will be the same in 20 or 30 years. A key issue within the Bill is to move on and to make sure we are adaptable and capable of responding to the information technology challenges.

It must be stated that designation is not a prerequisite to innovation, and An Post will still be the national, State owned postal service provider offering a national postal service. The universal service obligation is an obligation on the State, and designating An Post for seven years ensures the universal service obligation is met. ComReg is still charged with ensuring this universal service, and decisions it makes on designations must be made to meet this objective. However, as I stated, the market is changing rapidly and the universal service obligation could be met by the market and designated universal service providers. A period in excess of seven years is not appropriate, given the changing market. It could be the equivalent of giving a 30 year level of service provision to the canals when the railways had just started up. The world is changing and I want to reflect that. At the same time, I want to ensure that we allow An Post to continue as a strong, innovative and viable company.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I use a mobile telephone.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I do not use it.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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It is called mobile.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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As an example, the Senator and other Members know we communicate with those we represent by post. I am looking for quality, cost and a service that responds to the needs of the user. When it comes to delivering communications to the people of Dún Laoghaire, I look to a company that can provide a layer of sophistication on delivery. I would love to think An Post can compete on cost, quality and response to my demands. Sadly, at certain times in the past, An Post has said to me that I cannot specify geographic areas because the company uses different areas. I have asked An Post to deliver in late November and it said it could not, that its deliveries operated differently. That flexibility is needed. I am dying to get An Post to deliver the communications I have, and on many occasions I use An Post but there is an issue of quality, cost and response to the users' demands. It is not an issue of the good postmen and women on the ground, it is an issue of middle management where we need the flexibility, adaptability and a response to the user. I see it in the private sector and I want to see it happen within An Post and if it does happen, An Post can and will deliver to a degree where it can do much better than the private sector. Like Senator O'Toole, I want the State to do things when it can and I want to see the State show that flexibility and adaptability and hold its head high on these issues. It will not happen as easily, however, if there is a 20 year derogation.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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We all want the same thing and we agree on the principle of quality of service and competition. The anxiety expressed in the amendments is that unless new entrants come to the table with suggestions of how to grow the business, there is an absolute inevitability that there will be a division of the existing business, which is only marginally profitable as it stands, at less than 1% of turnover, which is within the margin of error for any reduction in postal services. If we are not asking new entrants for a plan to grow the business, we must allow An Post the chance to recoup the money it has already invested. Any business, private or public, would be making a reasonable proposition in making a request for an extension of seven years. There is a limited pool and unless there is a larger plan for new entrants to state they can increase business by a certain percentage, which they then take, we will end up subsidising An Post because it is has lost business to new entrants and, effectively, we will be subsidising the new entrants.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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It is not in conflict with the Minister of State's ambition to see An Post compete and adapt to the market place; there is no incompatibility here. The amendments enshrine in this legislation that whoever delivers the service, private or public, there is a legislative imperative to do so with regard to cost, efficiency, universal delivery and low pricing. I do not see the difficulty; surely putting that prerequisite in the legislation will enhance the possibility that all service providers will do it. Extending the term would make it viable for An Post to plan and adapt. As Senator Hanafin said, the profit margin would suggest that such an extension is necessary.

I cannot see how our position is incompatible; all we want to do is give legislative effect to the stated objective of the Minister. If the Minister is truly committed to the stated objective, he should accept these amendments or bring in alternative amendments to achieve the same objectives on Report Stage.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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We must come back to the issue of designation; it is not a monopoly and does not preclude market entry. What it does, in effect, is place an obligation on An Post. There is an issue with the protection of consumer interests which must be addressed and we must be careful not to err on one side or another. I also reiterate the point that this proposal has not come out of the blue. We have been aware of the EU directive for some time; it is not as if it suddenly dropped out of the sky after seven years.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 14 has been discussed with amendment No. 11. Is it being pressed?

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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If I understood the Minister of State correctly, it is being accepted. On that basis it is not being pressed.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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We are introducing a very similar amendment.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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The amendment is not being pressed.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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The Minister is accepting it.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Is it agreed that the Minister will accept the amendment?

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Amendment No. 16a addresses the spirit of amendment No. 14.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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All right.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I think it is a decent way of dealing with it.

Amendment No. 14 not moved.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I move amendment No. 16:

In page 19, subsection (5), line 26, after "designated" to insert the following:

"and having regard to the cost to the consumer and to the quality of service".

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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To ensure the efficient running of the House, I will not reopen the debate, but I advise the Minister to read the transcript to see the arguments we made. I appeal to him to either accept our amendments or tell us that he will come back with proposals to achieve the same objectives which should not be disputed.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Minister wish to speak to the section?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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No; I will certainly read the transcript to see the arguments made, but I would prefer to let the section stand, as amended by amendment No. 16a, and continue with our discussion of the Bill.

David Norris (Independent)
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On a point of order, I had to rush to the Chamber to take part in the division because the division bell never rang in my office. Neither did it ring in the offices of my secretary or Senator O'Toole, both of which I was in. It was my secretary who pointed out to me that a division had been called.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I apologise and will have the matter investigated immediately.

Dominic Hannigan (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 17:

In page 20, subsection (2), lines 42 to 47, to delete paragraphs (a) and (b) and substitute the following:

"(a) the terms and conditions, excluding those specifying the amount of the charges, in accordance with which a postal service user may avail of the postal services concerned, and".

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The effect of the amendment would be to remove the need for An Post, or a designated universal service provider, to notify ComReg of its tariffs and changes thereto. Tariffs are an integral part of a universal postal service provider's terms and conditions. To safeguard the interests of users, the general terms and conditions, including the terms and procedures for dealing with consumers, which apply to An Post as a designated universal service provider and any other provider which provides universal services must be approved by ComReg.

Charges for postal services not within the scope of the universal service are not subject to such oversight. In addition, Recital 34 of the first postal service directive states "Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (7) applies to postal operators". The oversight by ComReg gives the operator a practicable defence against claims that, even where its terms and conditions are not negotiated with consumers, they are unfair and, therefore, unenforceable. Such protection is specially needed in cases where users have no bargaining power. On these grounds, I cannot accept the amendment as proposed.

Dominic Hannigan (Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I will consider it with my advisers and, if necessary, resubmit the amendment on Report Stage.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This drafting amendment specifies the particular section of the Arbitration Act 2010 which applies in this case. It is proposed in the interests of adding clarity.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This textual amendment substitutes the words "that postal packet" for "a postal packet" and is being made for clarification purposes.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendments Nos. 23, 24 and 26 are consequential on and amendment No. 25 is related to amendment No. 22. Therefore, amendments Nos. 22 to 26, inclusive, will be discussed together.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 22:

In page 25, line 19, to delete "overall limit = (Ä CPI) — X" and substitute "overall limit = (Ä CPI) – X + Y".

This amendment has been proposed by An Post which states price control should reflect structural declines in volumes, given the fixed nature of many of the costs incurred in providing a universal service. As volumes decline, costs per unit increase. Without this adjustment, it would not be possible for it to be cost reflective. This adjustment is catered for in other countries such as the United Kingdom and France.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I strongly support Senator O'Toole's amendment to delete "five years" and substitute "three" because three years is a reasonable period. Five years would put An Post into a straitjacket. As I said on Second Stage, I am concerned that we should preserve the universal service obligation and the excellent next-day delivery levels to every part of Ireland that An Post has achieved. That is the premier objective. The second objective is that we have a quality delivery service to people's homes, not to central collection points. Cheques and moneys should not be put at risk by being collected at central locations, nor should we allow private operators at a lower level in the marketplace where they can cherry-pick.

Our big objectives are that An Post should be competitive, deliver a quality, universal service, preserve the taxpayer's investment at €100 million at the four automated centres, and keep its excellent workforce in place. Given those objectives, it is too much of a straitjacket to box it into a five-year price control system. We think that three years is a reasonable period. Obviously, a submission for a price increase in three years would have to go through the normal processes rather than being automatically agreed.

Were An Post bizarrely to propose a trebling of postage rates, that would not be accepted because there are controls to ensure it would not happen. Normal price controls would apply of having to go through the regulator and the Minister. One assumes, therefore, that the proposed regulations could not be abused. It is too much of a straitjacket to opt for the five-year period because we cannot gaze into the crystal ball to that degree. Senator O'Toole made the valid observation that we were wrong in the case of the ESB. There is no harm in learning from mistakes. If there is something we should all learn on this unique day in our history, it is the capacity to accept error, build on it and do new things as required.

I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment as a reasonable proposition. Sufficient safeguards are built into the system for the consumer, yet it affords flexibility to adapt to what might be a very different situation in three years' time. We hope, of course, that postal services will get cheaper. That is our general ambition and no one is arguing to the contrary, but we are just trying to be sensible in the circumstances.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have to disagree with Senator O'Toole's ESB analogy. There has been a misconceived public campaign on the electricity sector stating that we are the most expensive country in Europe and the worst in the world. If one looks at the reality of what is happening, the policy measures that have been introduced are working. Statistics show that for large energy users, where employment is a key issue, Ireland is the sixth cheapest of the 27 EU countries.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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We have seen a huge reduction in electricity prices in the last two years. There are several reasons for this, but one of them is that a competitive market arrangement is working. The ability to allow other competitors, such as Bord Gáis and Airtricity, to underprice the ESB in electricity supply has created a competitive retail market as well as in the business sector. In February or March, when it goes above 40%, the ESB will then be free to change. That good regulation is in place and the price cap did what is was meant to do, allowing competition to develop, bringing prices down and improving services for everyone. It is important to recognise that because there is an alternative campaign which says our electricity companies are not working for us, we must break them up and sell them. I do not think that is in the public interest, however, and it is based on a campaign which is inaccurate. The question is whether our regulatory system and semi-State utilities are working effectively within a competitive functioning market, and to my mind they are. They provide a good example of how one can create a competitive market and have companies that provide a real public service. On a point of principle, I contend the Senator's argument in that regard.

I cannot accept the five amendments concerning the proposed price cap. This is a similar example where we are looking to create a market that does not underpin or undermine An Post. It may give it a measure of certainty rather than looking case by case, as it currently does, for a price increase in particular product areas. At the same time, it recognises for An Post that the response to a declining market and declining volumes cannot just be to see if it can get an increased price on the remaining volumes. That would just be a never-ending downward spiral as a business model. That is why we put a five-year cap period in section 25. It is also critical because it affords protection against price increases for users who do not have market power. It is for small businesses and individuals who cannot negotiate their postal pricing arrangements with An Post. That particular category is the only one where we are seeking to put a cap in place.

I do not believe that the annual review proposed in the amendment would work as effectively. One would be in a constant state of uncertainty if one had an annual review. It would not provide the sort of business environment that would help either An Post, consumers or other market operators.

Section 25(5) includes a provision for a review after three years. If people think five years is too long, there is a mechanism to amend the component parts if the assumptions under the cap are no longer true. It is not setting five years in stone, but is providing for a five-year period with a review clause after three years. That is an appropriate measure which allows the flexibility to make adjustments. There is such a need for certainty, however. Examples in other areas where we have opened up markets to competition - I will take electricity as the example because it has been raised - show that this can work both for An Post and the consumer.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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In response to amendment No. 22 and the necessary clarifying amendments Nos. 23, 24 and 26 the Minister indicated it would not be good for An Post. It is its position that this would be the correct thing to do. Therefore, I do not accept the Minister's argument.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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By having a cap for An Post there will be certainty which will enable it to engage in its business planning. There is recognition that there is a need for a cap because it is likely that for at least five years the sector will be one in which there will not be real competition and An Post will be in a dominant position as a result of its unique advantage in having a distribution chain. The Bill recognises such market dominance. There is a common regulatory process in which the regulator will have the power to set a price cap and ensure operators work within it, make efficiencies and improve service delivery. This is a standard regulatory process and one that is appropriate. The better way is to have a five-year period, rather than having an annual battle with the regulator trying to change prices. The regulator can set a cap and review the matter after three years, if necessary.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Amendments Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive are related and will be discussed together.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This section provides for agreement to be reached between the postal service provider and a universal service provider on access to the latter's network. The intention behind the drafting amendments is to ensure decisions made by ComReg on access will be subject to the appeals provisions provided for. Amendment No. 45 to section 47 inserts a new appeals section. The amendment to section 28(3) clarifies that the steps to be taken by ComReg under the subsection relate to the resolution of a dispute in the event that an agreement is not reached. The amendment to section 28(4) makes it clear a decision by ComReg not to intervene or to discontinue intervention in resolving a dispute is a decision to be made by it and, as such, may be appealed under the proposed new section 47. The amendment to section 28(5) clarifies that the action taken by ComReg under the subsection in resolving a dispute is appealable under the new section 47.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Amendments Nos. 30 and 31 are related and will be discussed together.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This country is the sixth cheapest for large energy users.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is great to hear a Kerry man mentioning Mayo.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I ask Senator O'Toole to report progress.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister back to the Chamber. We are discussing amendments Nos. 30 and 31 together. Senator O'Toole was in possession of the floor when he moved the suspension of the House. Had he finished?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Did Senator O'Reilly indicate?

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I am fine for the moment.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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It is not proposed to accept these amendments. Regarding the first part of amendment No. 30, section 14 designates the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, as the independent national regulatory authority for the purposes of the directive. Article 22 of the directive requires the designation of a regulatory authority that is independent of postal service providers. Therefore, there is no need to provide for the use of independent mediation to resolve disputes over access. All decisions made by the regulator may be appealed by the persons affected by those decisions.

It is not proposed to accept the provisions on access charges in the amendments. Section 28 places an emphasis on access being granted following commercial negotiations between the universal postal service provider and another postal service provider. Where an agreement cannot be reached, ComReg may resolve the issue and impose certain terms and conditions in respect of access. Section 28(8) provides that, in making a decision, ComReg must take account of the need to ensure and maintain the efficient provision of the universal service. This subsection also requires ComReg, in resolving a dispute, to take the reasonableness of the access request into account. Section 28(9) provides that ComReg, when making a decision as to the cost of access, must take account of the network costs incurred in granting access.

It is not appropriate to legislate for where access should be granted or to prescribe terms under which it is. The postal sector is undergoing sufficient change and must evolve to ensure it meets the needs of its users. An Post may make commercial decisions as to how it should configure its network to meet its obligations and best serve the needs of its users. The challenge for An Post is to recognise the need to re-evaluate its relationship with customers and competitors alike. It must explore the potential offered through competitive partnerships with rival postal service providers and ensure An Post remains the postal delivery company of choice for the foreseeable future.

My final point relates to our overall discussion. Even in the absence of this legislation, the reserved area would no longer be protected. The directive means it would fall. We are legislating, therefore, to restore some sort of protection and certainty. We do not have a plan B. The alternative would be a further weakening of the position of the universal service provider. We are legislating to ensure the directive works for An Post and other providers in the market.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I share Senator O'Toole's concern and regret the Minister is not automatically accepting these amendments or at least their spirit, while proposing to come back on Report Stage with similar amendments.

The object of the mediation proposal is that when there are two diametrically opposed positions, as an exercise of last resort, there should be an independent mediation service. We believe that to be eminently sensible. The Minister talks about regulation and we have no problem with that, but can he say whether, when unbridled regulation has been in place, it has improved services and made them cheaper? In the case of the ESB, telecommunications, taxis etc. this does not always follow. I do not care whether the Minister seeks to amend our wording, to circumscribe the amendment or insert it ultimately as a last resort, but it should be there, in the event of disputes that require independent mediation. Such an amendment would enhance the Bill rather than undermining its objectives.

Our objective in the second amendment is to save our four automated exchange centres and the €100 million in taxpayers' money that is being put into their creation. It is our objective to save the 2,000 jobs associated with those, and the universal service obligations, to ensure next-day and good service delivery to all parts of the country at a relatively cheap cost. The concern in the second amendment is that a private operator could negotiate a competitive price below the standard An Post price for the delivery of post to a particular area. It could cherry pick a population centre within the catchment area of a particular automated centre, for example Galway city. At local level the mail could be put into circulation there and An Post workers would do the leg work in delivering it, the operator having got into the market at a low price. We are arguing it must go in through the automated centres and accept the overall obligations, and not focus on a targeted population area at a lower level or critical mass to the mail centre.

We accepted the principle on Second Stage and understand that the EU directive must be put in place. However, our objective in all these amendments is that we implement the directive, but temper it in such a manner to fit distinctly Irish conditions and the needs of the Irish people as regards the postal service. The objective studies show this country cannot bear too much competition in this area and that An Post would be relatively unviable at a low margin of profit. Although it is profitable, efficient and exemplary in the way it does its business based on all the objective standards, it is not fit for competition on an uneven playing pitch. We are trying to ensure this is not the case, and it is a question of putting in place a suitable methodology. We believe independent mediation is not an inherently harmful process because anybody presenting before it with a wrong proposition, including wrong pricing data, will not survive. In fact anyone supporting such a false premise would not even get that far, since this would have been dealt with at an earlier stage.

If somebody is not prepared, in relation to the mail centres, to take on the postal service at mail centre level for an entire region, he or she should not be allowed to cherry pick a small densely populated area to optimise profit and place An Post in an unprofitable position. Our objectives, therefore, are straightforward. They seek to comply with the directive, but in a way that will ensure the universal service obligations are in place, that the good sustainable jobs in An Post will be maintained and that the post will be delivered relatively cheaply, while maintaining current efficiencies. In trying to achieve this we believe mediation and the other provision as regards not coming in lower than the four automated mail centres, are addressed in these amendments.

This is not a question of somebody being right, half-right or wrong but about doing the right thing by the consumer and postal workers. I appeal to the Minister to reconsider his attitude to these amendments.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I argue that the provisions contained in section 28 mean in a sense that ComReg is acting in that mediating role. If the Senator reads the section, it says in effect that two parties may enter into negotiation, the service provider and the universal service provider. If they wish they may let ComReg know that negotiations are starting. If either party requests it, then ComReg could specify how long the negotiations will last, but nonetheless it is a third party to what are primarily negotiations between the two commercial parties.

If agreement is not reached, ComReg under subsection (5) can act in a mediation role, while recognising there are two different commercial world views and determining a solution to the negotiations in the event of none having been found. One could argue that this is a mediation process in ways. If that does not work there is recourse in that any decision within the process may be appealed to the court. Therefore there is a mediation system, in effect, and an appeal system to that to give legal effect.

I understand the Senator's desire for mediation and I believe this to be a much better way rather than getting into expensive litigation, if at all possible, but in a sense that is what we are seeking to do here, as regards the regulator.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In a previous amendment to section 47 we were seeking to implement a new provision which would allow for such an appeal across any of the decisions that ComReg makes. It is an amendment I shall be tabling on Report Stage, although we have been discussing it on Committee Stage. The point is that there is an appeal mechanism in place at any part of the decision making by ComReg, in a mediating role to a court, where appropriate.

In response to the general point, this goes to the heart of it as regards the role of regulators. I understand the certain concern within the political system to the effect that there may be a loss of power to the regulatory system and in certain instances we may have seen some effects which were not ideal. I have close responsibility for three main regulatory areas, ComReg, broadcasting and CER. My sense is that ten years in, they have bedded down and that the turbulence in the earlier years has somewhat reduced. They have greatly benefited, to my mind, in having three regulators, the triumvirate system rather than that of a sole decision maker, una voce. Often, the areas involved are complex and very technical with two or three strategic objectives. Having three commissioners, as with ComReg and CER, is a mechanism that works, and there is political oversight.

At no stage, as the Minister with responsibility for those areas, did I not have the ability to talk to a regulator and share my views, while respecting his or her independence at the same time. When very complex commercial decisions have to be made on pricing, access to networks and so on I do not want to be making such decisions as Minister. I do not regard that as appropriate and believe it is better for the regulator to do it. I cannot think of any instances over the last three and a half years where I have been in a position where I believed the policy approach was fundamentally wrong, but in the event, there is provision in the legislation that allows the Minister to issue a policy direction. As such, there is oversight. If one believed the approach being taken was not meeting national policy objectives, one could use that legislative provision. Because one can talk to regulators and work rationally through matters - one can develop a co-operative working arrangement with anyone - I have not had recourse to that provision, but it is in place. In my experience, our regulatory system works. Senator O'Toole is correct that what we are doing is similar to what a regulator does. In that regard, in the case of telecommunications technology, local loop unbundling is probably a good analogy to use.

To my mind, what we are doing is beginning to work. Broadband numbers are improving and costs have come down. There has been a change in the incumbent operator's philosophy in that it now sees the business opportunities that come with co-operation, rather than trying to maintain an existing market position. The same will have to occur in the postal service. If we do not do this, mail volumes will continue to contract and the business case will not stand up, causing serious problems for the large number employed in An Post. I want the business to be re-energised in order that employees' futures are protected, but we cannot do this by watching mail volumes decline or maintaining the business as is. The only way we can do this is to allow new access systems and business models to develop, with a commercial return to An Post and other postal service providers. We must provide this flexibility for management and workers of An Post.

I do not believe what is proposed in Senator O'Reilly's amendment No. 31 which would maintain the business as is would be the appropriate approach to take in five or ten years time. I do not know what new mail, parcel or income streams will be developed. If we try to legislate for this, we will get it wrong. It is better to have a regulator and a Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who constantly reviews the business in terms of how it is evolving and developing and determining from where will come new business opportunities. Therefore, it would not be right for us to legislate now for the structures in this regard, as provided for in the amendment. It is better to allow the regulator, the Minister, An Post management and other market players to come to this through a negotiated process. That is what we have legislated for.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister to take cognisance of the fact that the access rate available to new entrants in the United Kingdom was too low. This has created difficulties for Royal Mail in terms of its profitability and ability to trade out of the current difficulties. With that in mind, we need to get it right first time around. I, therefore, ask the Minister to allow for an appeals mechanism in respect of the access rate available to new entrants. We must reflect the value available to new entrants, bearing in mind all the time, as I mentioned when the Minister of State was in the House, that there will be a situation where there will be a limited market, with a low profit figure of less than 1%. Unless the new entrants can grow the market, there is no doubt that we will end up subsidising An Post. We must reflect the actual cost, by which I mean we must take into account everything involved in the provision of the service. I, therefore, ask the Minister to take another look at down-stream access costs.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I subscribe to the latter point made by Senator O'Toole which I commend to the Minister for his consideration. I also concur with the Senator's remarks about the integrity and quality of personnel in the regulator's office having regard to the committee's positive meetings with them.

On amendment No. 31, can the Minister say, based on the advice he is receiving and on his own assessment, cartels will not prosper in a climate such as that as proposed in the legislation? Will he confirm that everyone will be subject to the same delivery price or, if private cartels will be subject to a lower price, that they will not prosper to the detriment of An Post?

I cannot see how that could be the case, although perhaps I am missing something.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I share Senator O'Reilly's anxieties. New entrants should not be able to access the system below the regional mail centres of Dublin, Cork, Athlone and Portlaoise. An Post is a quality provider and the value and quality of its service is well documented and properly monitored. There was a recent infusion of €150 million in capital funding in the centres which provide 2,000 jobs. The last place the new entrants will want to be involved is the last mile if they are to make a profit and we should impose the correct regulations now while taking cognisance of everything. If jobs are to be lost in An Post and replaced in the private sector, not only will the profits be transferred from An Post to the private operators, the workers will be subsidised in the context of social welfare top-ups on their pay scales and, indirectly, the taxpayer would pay again. We need to get that right and to ensure the cost of the last mile is included every step of the way and that the four regional mail centres will be the access point for the independent operators to the service.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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With regard to Senator O'Toole's contribution, there will always be recourse to mediation. I always recommend mediation to avoid an expensive court case. This would provide for mediation following mediation but I would always keep it open as a possibility while making legislative provisions and allowing people who wish to seek legal recourse in the courts to do so.

The wording in section 28 does not provide for a cartel arrangement. Individual service providers will enter negotiations for commercial transactions. I refer Senators O'Reilly and Hanafin to section 28(9), which states, "Where the Commission makes a decision with respect to the price of access to the postal network concerned it shall take into account any costs avoided by a universal postal service provider by granting such access and network costs of the universal postal service provider involved in granting such access." This is a clear provision which says that the job of the regulator with expertise built up over time is to provide an independent assessment of those costs and recommend terms if there cannot be an agreed, negotiated or mediated solution. The subsection gives the commission the wherewithal to ensure this is cost reflective both in costs avoided and costs accrued.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I support the deletion of the section. A reasonable criticism the public often makes is that Ireland is overly diligent, overly scrupulous and overly law-abiding in its adoption of every little piece of a directive from Europe. In other words, it is enough to take on the spirit of a directive and its broad objectives. It is sufficient to take on the concept of competition without in the process jeopardising the family silver. An Post is the family silver in this instance and is an expensive collection of silver that has been built up on foot of the investment of €100 million in the automated centres, as well as all the human investment down the years. Members do not wish to put this at risk now or to make it available willy-nilly, at literally no cost, to competitors or private institutions. I accept the principle and reality of competition and as one of the departmental officials told me informally outside the Chamber, this reality is going to visit us in January anyway. Although Members are aware of this, they are trying in the process to protect the national postal services infrastructure. It is a bit much that An Post would be obliged to make available infrastructure in non-physical form as well, such as postcodes, addresses or whatever it has built up in that regard and that it would be obliged to make available its physical infrastructure. Senator O'Toole's analogy with a shop, restaurant or whatever is good, whereby outsiders come in to use the basic material that is available. It would be in the best interests of the legislation, not contrary to the spirit of the directive and yet protective of Ireland's postal services to remove this section. Consequently, I support its removal.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I also request the Minister to remove the section as were the worst anxieties realised, it would be unthinkable. Over the past couple of centuries, the postal service has built up the best possible locations for its business, including a national monument in the form of the General Post Office in O'Connell Street. It is unthinkable that anyone could have immediate access to such an institution. This goes right through every city and town in the country. I refer to the post offices at the bottom of Oliver Plunkett Street and Winthrop Street in Cork or on Liberty Square, which is right on the bull's-eye in the main centre of Thurles. The same is true for villages, towns and cities nationwide. Consequently, it would be unthinkable, were the worst fears realised. Moreover, it would be against all normal competition. The ESB has not been obliged to provide its facilities to Airtricity or Bord Gáis, except for the actual mains network, which eventually will be independently owned. However, it certainly does not allow other entities enter its head office. One of the most dangerous parts of this proposal refers to "or arrangements made with others for the provision of any service". What business would hand over its database or information regarding companies with which it is doing business? This would be unthinkable in this context. Even if such new independent operators reached the level one wished them to have, they still would have the database and the best information. In the context of cherry-picking, one certainly would find it in this regard. We are leaving ourselves wide open and I ask the Minister to consider deleting this section.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I agree with previous speakers that this section should be withdrawn. It is the promotion of competition gone mad. I certainly am surprised to see such a provision in a Bill that is being promoted by a Green Party Minister. If one considers, for example, the opening of the electricity market in the past, at least then the electricity networks were in separate ownership and the associated charges were common to both competitors. While one could argue realistically that such a measure made sense, this proposal does not make sense at all. I agree with those speakers who have asked for this section to be withdrawn and repeat my earlier comment this is competition gone mad.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In response to Senators Ryan and Hanafin, the analogy they used is very good, in that Airtricity has access to the ESB distribution grid wires. In the space of a 30-second telephone call, one can change one's customer relation while retaining all the same systems, including metering, local wires and everything else, which are given as access to a competitor. This works well in the public interest to encourage competition and reduce prices. Yes, a Green Party Minister is willing in the public interest to try to keep prices down and to get better services. Moreover, in this instance unless we do this and were we simply to keep to business as usual in the postal service, I ultimately would fear for the workers there because we cannot continue on a business as usual basis. The postal service needs a new business model, new income streams and new enterprise opportunities and they can come-----

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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Not this measure.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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------through a variety of different means. They can come through An Post directly, through new retail opportunities and through other people seeking to use that network for retail and wholesale opportunities. My instinct is that this enterprise opportunity will be better under this provision than were we simply to leave it be. Were the reserved area to go without a legislative protection, it would be more risky and more damaging to the company. Consequently, this section is to provide a fair procedure for this new operation of the network.

Senator O'Toole makes a point about section 28(9) and whether the full cost is being taken into account. In the context of providing access to the postal network, section 28(9) stipulates that account must be taken of network costs. The definition of "postal network" in section 6 states it "means the system of organisation and resources of all kinds used by a universal postal service provider for the purposes...of" and so on. All the aspects of the business can be taken into account when accessing the network costs.

I must reiterate to Senator O'Reilly and others that while they may be correct that sometimes Ireland is too pernickety in respect of its implementation of European legislation, in this instance we do not have a choice. Article 11a of the directive is very clear. It does not state "could", "should", "may be" or "can", but uses the word "shall". It states "Member States shall ensure that transparent, non-discriminatory access conditions are available to [the following] elements of postal infrastructure or services ... postcode system, address database, post office boxes, delivery boxes, information on change of address, re-direction service and return to sender service" and so on. The directive is explicit in stating that one shall do this. It states that one shall provide this kind of overall access or transparent and non-discriminatory access conditions to a network that includes all these different aspects and not simply a single aspect. This is a protection to the company as well, because it means all of these cost elements can be taken into account when deciding on what is a network cost, whether it is cost accrued or cost avoided. The directive specifies "shall".

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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Again I support Senator O'Toole. While we were speaking in the House, at all times we accepted there would be access. We are really worried about section 29(2), which states that "the Commission may give a direction to a universal postal service provider requiring it to permit access to other postal service providers to its postal infrastructure on such conditions as the Commission may direct for that purpose". That is carte blanche and it could not be contemplated. It certainly would not reflect what happened during the previous deregulation, allowing competition into the electricity and telecoms market.

The question about the database has not been answered. Giving competitors access to databases on the basis of who An Post is doing business with would be unacceptable in any market and I do not think it should be allowed in this market either.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I might come back to the section to provide absolute certainty on that point, so the wording "and network costs" of section 28(9) could be changed to "and postal network costs". This would reflect the broader cost base that is contained in the original definition. That might reflect the Senator's concerns.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I will seek advice on that from the parliamentary counsel and try to come back on Report Stage with an amendment on it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Amendments Nos. 32 and 33 are related and may be discussed together.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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I move amendment No. 32:

In page 30, before section 30, but in Chapter 4, to insert the following new section:

30.—A postal service provider that operates a post office shall not close the post office (other than for a temporary purpose) without the consent, by reserved function, of the local authority in which the post office is situate.

This is a proposal to insert a new section entitled "Closure of certain postal infrastructure" in the case of this amendment, and "Closure of post boxes" in the case of amendment No. 33.

I was going to raise the issue of quality of service under section 27. It is an example of the closure of certain postal infrastructure and the withdrawal of services. It relates to north County Dublin, but I am sure it is fairly typical of what might be happening around the country. The Minister is interested in cricket, so he will know the geography of the places I will name and will also understand the difficulties I will outline.

An Post have proposed changes to arrangements for parcel and registered letter recovery, where these have not been delivered by the postman, in areas such as Rush, Lusk, Oldtown and Garrettstown. These changes will result in unnecessary costs and inconvenience to residents in these areas. If a postman or postwoman calls to a house in these areas to deliver a registered letter or a parcel but there is nobody at home, the postman or postwoman leaves a note to the effect that the letter or parcel may be collected at the post office in the places I referred to above. An Post is currently restructuring the delivery system in these areas and is in negotiation with the unions on these matters. However, as part of the restructuring being proposed, An Post is trying to implement changes to the collection system for failed deliveries of packages and registered letters, which must be signed for by a member of the family. Instead of a note stating that the item can be picked up at the local post office, the note will indicate that the item should be picked up at the Balbriggan depot. This is unacceptable and will result in unnecessary hardship for the people in question.

Garrettstown is about 20 km from Balbriggan and so it would require a 40 km round trip to pick up an undelivered parcel. Oldtown is just 18 km from Balbriggan and collecting a package or letter would mean a 36 km round trip. There is a limited public transport system available in these areas. If people do not have a car available before the Balbriggan depot closes, then they have no option but to take a taxi at great cost, and that can only happen if a taxi is available in these rural areas of north Fingal. Although there is a bus service between Lusk, Rush and Balbriggan, it is a big deal to make the journey there and back.

There is no credible reason for these changes. There is no associated productivity improvement which will deliver savings to An Post. The postman in the area will still return to the local post office every evening to leave the undelivered item in that office so that it is picked up and transferred from that local post office back to Balbriggan. This proposal makes no sense whatsoever. A further reduction in services provided by rural post offices must be dropped. My fear is that this change may be a precursor to the closure of these rural post offices, and my amendment refers to this.

The customer charter of An Post states "All of us at An Post are committed to offering you high quality services that meet your needs". The proposed changes do not meet the needs of rural people in Fingal and should be dropped. I raise this issue so the Minister could take a look at this and raise the matter with An Post on my behalf. His colleague in the Green Party, Deputy Sargent, could also be interested in a rethink by An Post on these issues.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I also support Senator Ryan's amendment. As a general principle I would be against such closures and such a diminution of services. It goes against the arguments that we had been making on Second Stage and in earlier amendments on Committee Stage, when we were saying the big objective was to get to everybody in this country on an equal basis, as quickly and as competitively as others, so there was no discrimination in our postal services. I see a diminution in services in what Senator Ryan cites. I would be similarly concerned that this might apply in Cavan and Monaghan, where the rural post office and the rural post box are of critical importance. It is important throughout Cavan and Monaghan that local post offices are preserved in their present form and that post boxes, which are very important, are preserved in order that people are not asked to travel for miles to post items or have them delivered. This is a concern for people. There have been post office closures in County Cavan over the years. When that happens it is sad for the communities and it knocks the heart out of the area. It is like the closure of a local primary school or Garda station. It is part of the death by a thousand cuts. It damages local pride and confidence. The Fleadh Cheoil was a successful boost to the county this year and I could see the difference it made to people. I could see the opposite in some instances, however, when I attended public meetings about post offices closing. I saw the gloom and depression it can cause. Even the loss of a post box might not seem much to us but to someone living nearby with no transport, it is a great deal. We are in such a fortunate situation that we might forget about others, not out of malice but because we are too removed from reality and are living in a bubble. This is a worthy amendment and I support it strongly.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I know well the area Senator Brendan Ryan referred to and I understand his concern as a local representative about any diminution in service. That is a matter that can be brought up by representatives with An Post directly but it is a commercial matter for the company and as Minister I cannot get down to directing or managing on a local area basis. That would be an impossible situation. We are trying to maintain certain standards in the Bill, with certain levels of service per population area. In the legislation we are providing for all communities to ensure there is a protection of universal service, quality and standards.

The provision of post offices is not affected by the directive. An Post's responsibility pursuant to the Posts and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 to provide counter services for the company's own and the Government's business is not being amended in this Bill. The majority of post offices are operated by postmasters under commercial contract with An Post and the closure of a post office is a contractual matter between An Post and the individual postmaster in question. Post offices are only closed where An Post has been unsuccessful in recruiting a replacement postmaster to take on a particular vacancy.

I cannot accept amendment No. 33 which relates to the closure of a post box or similar access point. As regards a designated universal provider, section 16(10) provides that ComReg may, following a public consultation process, direct the provider, for the purpose of ensuring the density of access points and the provision of points of contact for users with universal service postal providers, to take account of the reasonable needs of postal service users. ComReg already had this direction under the current regulation and section 16(10) restates it in primary legislation.

For commercial service providers other than the designated universal service provider, establishing or removing access points to their networks are purely commercial decisions. I understand and accept the point the Senator made. It is a good example. The Bill, however, will provide a guarantee on certain access levels and conditions of service. The strength of the postal service is its distributive nature, that it has an access network that runs throughout the country. We must protect and maintain this. I am committed to doing that because it provides a huge social as well economic resource to the State.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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Senators on all sides are aware of the social damage caused by the closure of the post offices. It is not an issue we should leave to commercial interests. We should take a stand on this by asking for some control beyond commercial interests. The Minister should reflect on these amendments. I will not press them today but I will resubmit them on Report Stage and I hope the Minister will reconsider his position between now and then.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I also ask the Minister to reconsider. It goes back to Senator O'Toole's point. I am opposed to the closure of rural post offices. They are at the centre of some communities. Senators O'Toole and Hanafin mentioned the other facilities that can used because rural post offices are often privately owned. Closing a rural post office is often the death knell for a rural community.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This is a drafting amendment which replaces "among postal service providers", which is qualified by "of postal services", with "among providers" to remove repetition of the term "postal services".

Amendment agreed to.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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This amendment deletes the requirement for ComReg to publish the financial contributions an individual postal service provider makes to a sharing mechanism established to share any unfair and financial burden from meeting the universal service public obligation. The reason for the amendment is the publication of information at the level of the individual provider could result in the release of commercially sensitive information. Paragraph (7)(c) provides that ComReg provides the total funds collected and deals adequately with the accounting requirements for the sharing mechanism.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator O'Toole. It has been interesting to listen to the debate over the last couple of days. When a person posts a letter, how will it arrive at its destination? We are used to a system under which the postman takes the parcel or letter from the outset and another postman delivers it to its destination, and we can follow how this happens. Perhaps the Minister will explain how this will work under a new system. This goes to the core of the issue. The Minister has said that the regulator will be able to adjudicate on the prices charged, and will have access to all of the costs and so on, but how can a regulator operate in such a system? We saw what happened with the ESB, when the regulator increased the price of electricity before competition was introduced so the companies coming in to provide competition would be able to make money and would not leave the market.

Senator O'Toole has quite rightly tabled this amendment so we can have a discussion on how post will go from point A to point B. I find it intriguing to contemplate how the regulator will give guidelines on the prices to be charged. We have an efficient service at the moment, and any other system would come at a cost to the ordinary person using the postal service. Prices would have to go up. This is a load of baloney, to be honest. The service we have at the moment by An Post should be benchmarked against another small country with a large rural base and the regulator should be able to tell the company to reduce its prices or point out inefficiencies. That is my view of what should happen, although it may be the wrong view. Senator O'Toole's amendment is most interesting.

John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the previous speakers. What we are considering here is a question about the delivery of service and cherry picking. If we are to avoid increases in prices and a zoned method of payment, we will need to ensure there is some commitment from new entrants to provide a service, particularly in recognition of the unique demographics and spatial dispersion of rural Ireland. As we said before, Ireland is not like France, where the local farmer lives in the local village; here, the farmer lives out on his farm. Such extra costs must be borne in mind. If we are to have a viable postal service we must be vigilant at every step along the way.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The vision I have is of a new, renovated postal service that addresses in particular the needs of rural Ireland, including the 40% of houses which are one-off houses. A whole range of new services can open up, if we have the right system, to get products to those houses in a cost-effective, customer-friendly way. The development of Internet technologies is particularly relevant to this. A slow but inexorable change is occurring, which we should not resist but should be grasping. We should ask ourselves how we can use new technologies to deliver services, particularly in areas that do not have the advantage of scale that exists in Dublin city or Cork city.

I should not use this analogy, but people were being very lyrical earlier. One of the songs my father sings is "There's Only One Street in Dromcolliher", which many people know. I took this to heart, asking myself why Dromcolliher should not have access to everything in the world through a physical access system that allows it to rival high-street London. The task is to create a distribution system, particularly for rural Ireland, that is suitable for the 21st century and reduces isolation, and in turn creates business opportunities for whichever companies provide part of the new access network.

On the question of how the new system would work, I do not think we should be prescriptive, because everything is evolving, including Internet technologies and new markets and processes. More than 30 companies are already authorised, some of them from end to end and some of them dealing with specialised processes within certain sections of the access system. Rather than being prescriptive, as this amendment is, we should provide a fair and independent oversight of any new commercial arrangements so we can prevent cherry picking, which would undermine the ability of An Post to do its business, while allowing new business opportunities to evolve. I am sorry if that is a long-winded and somewhat lyrical explanation, but we must come at it this way. We must see this as an opportunity to be grasped rather than something to resist.

A number of months ago we brought together workers in this area, people from other businesses, people with an interest in An Post, regulators, and people from my Department for a full-day round-table discussion in which we considered various scenarios. For example, we considered what would happen if mail volume dropped by 50%, which is not such an incredible scenario in view of the continuing expansion of e-mail. It was interesting to hear the views of people who worked in the industry. When I was a young person, postal workers did a whole range of things for the local community. People would ask Paddy Joe to bring something back for them the next day, and it worked in an effective way. We need to commercialise a distribution system such as this to provide a real revenue stream for An Post. However, it is not just for An Post; it will work better when there is a range of different players operating in an evolved and complex new postal system which provides a whole range of business services.

Staying where we are is not an option; that would just lead to a contraction which would make businesses unviable and would not serve the public in the end. There is a certain urgency to this change, particularly for the 40% of houses in rural Ireland that are one-off houses. We may be able to create a new access system that overcomes some of the isolation of such housing.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Have new types of business been introduced to postal services in other jurisdictions? Are there postal services which deliver more than letters and parcels? What other types of business is the Minister speaking about? I fear this will make us more uncompetitive against the rest of Europe. There is no doubt our costs will go up. The Minister put considerable emphasis on the role of the regulator, saying he or she would have information about the cost of providing such services and would gain expertise in this area over time, enabling him or her to make determinations about the price a provider could charge. If that is the case, it is competition only in name. It is not real competition such as occurs in the world of retail or business.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I do not think anyone has cracked this yet. We will have to suit the system to our needs, particularly those of the rural population. There is probably no model comparable to Ireland because few countries have such a widely distributed population with many one-off houses. Anyone I have spoken to in the past three or four years recognises that change is coming and that it is likely to be connected to Internet technologies because this allows for a tracking of information and data. I envisage this will involve the provision of social, banking and other services by the post offices. It will ensure a volume of transactions sufficient to make it pay. I assume this will include parcel delivery, shopping and a range of other services which help to widen the choices available, especially in rural Ireland. It remains for the operator to work out exactly how it will and where the commercial opportunities lie.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 41 is related and alternative to amendment No. 40 and amendments Nos. 40 and 45 are related. Amendments Nos. 39, 40, 41 and 45 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I accept the principle underpinning amendment No. 41, that is, the introduction of a new section providing for appeals to ComReg decisions. I have also tabled amendments to section 36 to ensure greater consistency with the directive. Section 36 provides that ComReg may suspend or withdraw an authorisation to provide postal services where there is serious or repeated non-compliance with obligations under the framework. Amendment No. 40 deletes the final three subsections which enabled a postal service provider affected by ComReg's decision to appeal to the High Court.

The new section 47 proposed by amendment No. 45 provides for an appeals mechanism in respect of this decision and others made by ComReg. It is not necessary to retain these subsections.

Amendment No. 39 revises section 36(4) which provides that ComReg's decision should stand suspended pending the outcome of the appeal. This has been revised. The amendment now aligns this section with article 22 of the directive, which states that any decision that ComReg makes should stand pending the outcome of the appeal.

Amendment No. 45 proposes the inclusion of a new section 47 and an appeals mechanism for decisions made by ComReg. Following consultation with the Parliamentary Counsel during drafting, I propose the inclusion of this amendment. The proposed section 47 provides for an appeals mechanism to enable persons affected by ComReg decisions to appeal those decisions to the High Court. This mechanism is in addition to an individual's right to judicial review. The directive in article 22.3 requires member states to ensure that effective mechanisms exist at national level, under which any user or postal service provider affected by a decision of a national regulatory authority has the right to appeal to an appeals body independent of the parties involved. The proposed amendments provide for a similar mechanism for appeal of ComReg decisions on postal issues as those available with regard to ComReg decisions under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications under SI 271 of 2007.

I will outline the details of amendment No. 45. The new section 47(1) lists, section by section, the decisions made by ComReg, including determinations and directions which can be appealed to be High Court. These include decisions made on the price cap, the withdrawal of a postal service provider's authorisation to provide a postal service or the designation of a universal postal service provider. The new section 47(2) provides that a user or postal service provider affected by a ComReg decision may appeal to the High Court within 28 days of the appellant being notified of ComReg's decision. The new sections 47(3) and 47(4) provide that the rules of the High Court shall be followed when an appeal is made under this section and when the appellant gives notice on the grounds of appeal to ComReg.

The new sections 47(5) and 47(6) provide that the High Court may hear an appeal and make such orders as it considers appropriate, including orders to affirm or set aside ComReg's decisions or to resubmit the matter to ComReg for it to decide on again. The new section 47(7) provides that a decision stands pending the outcome of the appeal while the new section 47(8) provides a mechanism for the staying of a decision by the court pending the outcome of the appeal. The new section 47(9) provides that the High Court's decision on the appeal is final, except in the case of a specific point of law which shall lie with the Supreme Court.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Senator is correct that the main intent of the amendment is to do the same as he has proposed in amendment No. 41. The Senator's logic is correct in respect of the need to avoid vexatious claims which would merely lead to a delay in a decision or where it would be suspended that the decision stands.

Our amendments are similar in that respect.

I will have to refer this matter to the Attorney General on advice about the other legal issues Senator O'Toole raised. I have received legal advice that there is a right to a judicial review and recourse to the High Court. In this instance, however, it is not on the substance but on the specific point of law. I must discuss the legal reason for that with the Attorney General's office. I will take the Senator's points into account. Subject to legal advice to the contrary, that is the reason this provision was inserted.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I will pass on the Senator's views on attorneys to the Attorney General.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendments Nos. 42 and 43 are related and will be discussed together. Government amendment No. 42:

In page 38, subsection (1), line 26, to delete "A postal service provider" and substitute the following:

"Subject to subsection (5), a postal service provider".

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 37 provides that the postal service provider should give three months notice of its intention to withdraw a service. This applies to postal service providers providing services within the scope of the universal service only and not to the universal service provider itself. A designated universal postal service provider may not withdraw postal services within the universal service. To avoid doubt about this, I propose to insert a new subsection which will restate this explicitly.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I call on the acting leader to propose a suspension of the sitting for 15 minutes to facilitate the Minister to attend a division in the Lower House.

James Carroll (Fianna Fail)
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I so propose.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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We are resuming on section 39, amendment No. 44. I call Senator O'Toole.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Is the amendment being pressed?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Further to the discussions we had earlier, I do not propose to accept the amendment. Levies on postal service providers and communications providers are imposed pursuant to section 30 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. There is no appeals mechanism in place for either of these sectors. The Bill does require, however, that ComReg in imposing a levy under section 30, ensures that it is done in an objective, transparent and proportionate manner. As we discussed earlier, the use of judicial review is there should parties be unhappy about a particular levy order.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 45 is consequent on amendments Nos. 46 and 47 and all may be discussed together by agreement.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 47 relates to the prohibition on opening postal packets and mailbags. Subsection (4) provides for exemptions to this prohibition and these exemptions include anyone who is acting on foot of a direction issued by the Minister under section 110 of the Post and Telecommunications Services Act 1983.

Amendment No. 46 clarifies that section 110 of the 1983 Act, as listed in section 47(4)(b) is amended by the new section 48 of this Bill, which I am now proposing in amendment No. 47. Amendment No. 47 proposes a new section which will enable the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to issue directions in relation to the interception of postal packets carried by postal service providers to all postal service providers. This power has previously been confined to packets carried by An Post. While this provision is not a requirement of the postal services directive, the Department of Justice and Law Reform has advised my Department that it is essential, from a law enforcement and security perspective, to ensure that all operators in the market are subject to directions in order to comply with the interception authorisations. Government approval was given in July to draft this section and I am proposing to insert this section as an amendment to the Bill.

The current regime for the interception of postal packets operates on the basis of the complementary interaction of provisions in the Post and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. As Minster for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I may issue directions to An Post to comply with an interception authorisation under the 1993 Act. An Post must then comply with an authorisation given by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform in response to an individual application from the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

The new section provides for an amendment to section 100 of the 1983 Act to extend the power to issue directions to all postal service providers, and not only An Post, for the purpose of intercepting postal packets. The approach adopted in this section is similar to that taken in relation to the interception of telecommunications messages in 1999.

The proposed amendment is necessary in order to prevent a gap arising in the law as in the liberalised postal packet market it will be carried by operators other than An Post. It is important that all operators in the market be subject to directions to comply with interception authorisations.

Section 48(3) contains the necessary consequential amendments to the 1993 Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act to reflect the amendments to the Post and Telecommunications Services Act 1983.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has power to issue directions of a general nature to An Post, which is appropriate as 100% of An Post's shareholding is held by the Minister. The Minister for Finance will remain unaffected.

It is currently an offence under section 110(6), as inserted by the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, not to comply with the ministerial direction under section 110. Section 48(4)(b) clarifies that such an offence applies to An Post only in regard to non-compliance with a direction concerning interception under the 1993 Act.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I wish to make a brief observation on the latter point. Postal scams which fool people into believing they have won money or are the beneficiaries of trusts or wills, have caused immense trauma and difficulties for vulnerable people. There are some glaring examples that we have all come across. I came across one case of a person who was very street-wise in every other respect, but they got caught by such a scam. Any measure that would help to catch the perpetrators of such scams would be worthy of consideration. It is a sinister and dangerous matter.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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These amendments deal purely with interception and the ability of the judicial system to do that. I will confer again with the Attorney General's office as to whether there are wider provisions in terms of illegal activities which use mail services. I agree with both Senators that one must be vigilant towards such activity, but that is not the intent to these two amendments.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 49 is consequential on amendment No. 48 and both may be discussed together by agreement.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 52 provides that summary proceedings for offences under this Bill can be taken within 12 months of the offence being committed, rather than six months. This proposed amendment includes a further offence under this section. The relevant offence is contained in section 13 of the Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Act 2010, whereby a premium rate service provider is prohibited from overcharging or charging for services not supplied. This amendment brings the offence in line with other summary offences under the 2002 to 2010 Acts.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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As it is now 7.30 p.m. we must adjourn the debate.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to sit again?

James Carroll (Fianna Fail)
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At 10.30 a.m. amárach.