ComReg to direct An Post over Bulk Mail Access for business users

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has today issued
a draft direction to An Post to ensure that businesses and organisations – who
send bulk mail or who consolidate mail from different customers – have
sufficient access points to An Post’s system in order to meet their needs.
ComReg is statutorily obliged to ensure that the number of access points to An
Post’s system meets the needs of users of the universal postal service.
In a report on consultation published today, ComReg sets out a draft direction
to An Post which states that there should be at least one access point for bulk
mail in every town with a population in excess of 15,000. In cases where a
county does not have a town with a population in excess of 15,000, an access
point will be made available in the largest town of that county. For pre-sorted
mail, bulk mail customers will be able to deposit pre-sorted items at an access
point in the relevant delivery office from where such items would normally be
delivered.
Currently, there are 7 locations with a population in excess of 15,000 without
an access point for bulk mail. These include Cork City and the towns of
Carlow, Celbridge, Leixlip, Mullingar, Newbridge and Swords. In addition the
following counties, Carlow, Leitrim, Monaghan, Offaly and Tipperary (North
Riding) do not have an access facility to deposit bulk mail with An Post’s
system.
The Chairperson of ComReg, John Doherty, said: “It is important that An Post
provides sufficient access points to meet the needs of companies and
organisation who send bulk mail. International experience demonstrates that
meeting the needs of bulk mail customers can play an important role in the
growth and development of the postal services.”
Comments to ComReg on the draft direction are invited and must be received
by 30 November 2004.