COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 13, 2010

MOTION NO. 25

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

That this Council requests the Manager to write to An Taoiseach and to the Minister for Communications, and convey to them the Council's views on the postal services provided by An Post and the need to protect the Universal Services Obligation by legislation, as expressed in the following:

"South Dublin County Council calls on the Government to recognise the unique and vital role of the postal service in Ireland, as a means of communication, as a vital economic tool and as an intrinsic part of the fabric of the community. 

Our postal service has a social value and an economic value; these must be properly protected as the Government drafts legislation to open the postal market to full competition.  Postmen and women provide an important public service and also function as an integral part of the social fabric of their community, particularly for the elderly and the isolated citizens whose only human contact might be their post person. Furthermore An Post’s extensive delivery and collection network, is an intrinsic part of the economic and business infrastructure of the country.  Reaching every corner of the country and by delivering to every front door An Post is an essential partner in business from a marketing, payment collection and business generation point of view.

As Ireland prepares to liberalise its postal market it is essential that the Government acknowledges this important public service, ensures that the Universal Service Obligation is protected by legislation and does not allow the opening of the market to lead to wide spread job losses, social dumping and an erosion in service levels as has happened in other countries who have already opened their postal market to competition."

REPORT:

If the motion is passed a letter will isssue to An Taoiseach and to the Minister for Communications conveying to them the Council's views on the postal services provided by An Post and the need to protect the Universal Services Obligation.  A copy of their replies will be circulated when received.