An Post postal cap
Deputy Eugene Murphy raised plans to increase postage while protecting rural post office services. The Taoiseach said Cabinet had agreed to lift the cap under conditions and that the aim was to protect the five-day service and delivery network.
A number of weeks ago the Taoiseach and I had a conversation about the situation in An Post. On that occasion he told me the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, his constituency colleague and friend, would make a statement to the House, which he did. During our conversation, and during the presentation of the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, to the Dáil, there was no mention of increasing the price of postage. This morning we heard the Minister, Deputy Naughten, is to bring forward proposals for legislation to increase the price of postage at the very time we are trying to save post office services. We all acknowledge there is a crisis and I have one simple question.
Has the Government decided to increase postage costs?
Comment on this
The Government discussed this matter this morning and, under certain conditions, it was agreed that the cap would be lifted. The Minister has already pointed out that he wants to save the five-day service for rural Ireland and to protect the delivery of services. The chief executive spoke about the opportunities that exist for An Post in the time ahead to restructure the services it provides and to offer them at the highest level possible. The Minister has already identified the reasons for lifting the postal cap in respect of the shortfall and he has been very clear about protecting the levels of service of the post office network throughout the country. The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, will report to the House and there is a Cabinet subcommittee meeting, either tomorrow or Monday, at which we will also have the report from Mr. Kerr.