ComReg publishes its 2008-10 Postal Strategy Statement
The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) today
published its Strategy Statement for the Postal Sector in Ireland for the
period 2008 – 2010. The statement sets out ComReg’s vision of a
dynamic and competitive market offering an increasingly wide range of
competitively-priced, quality postal products and services.
Postal services have long been recognised as an essential part of
Ireland’s economic infrastructure and this is reflected in the Universal
Service Obligation and other such safeguards in the interests of users.
The Strategy Statement notes that the European Council and the
European Parliament have now adopted a Common Position on the third
Postal Directive, setting a deadline of 31 December 2010 for the full
market opening of postal markets.
This new Directive will provide Member States with the flexibility to tailor
the regulatory framework to suit national characteristics. The Minister for
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD, has
already announced that he will consult with stakeholders on the options
available to him before transposing the Directive into Irish Law. The need
to balance the desire for light-handed regulation with the need for proper
controls to deter any potential for anti-competitive activity will be
fundamental in determining how this is best achieved.
The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) today
published its Strategy Statement for the Postal Sector in Ireland for the
period 2008 – 2010. The statement sets out ComReg’s vision of a
dynamic and competitive market offering an increasingly wide range of
competitively-priced, quality postal products and services.
Postal services have long been recognised as an essential part of
Ireland’s economic infrastructure and this is reflected in the Universal
Service Obligation and other such safeguards in the interests of users.
The Strategy Statement notes that the European Council and the
European Parliament have now adopted a Common Position on the third
Postal Directive, setting a deadline of 31 December 2010 for the full
market opening of postal markets.
This new Directive will provide Member States with the flexibility to tailor
the regulatory framework to suit national characteristics. The Minister for
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD, has
already announced that he will consult with stakeholders on the options
available to him before transposing the Directive into Irish Law. The need
to balance the desire for light-handed regulation with the need for proper
controls to deter any potential for anti-competitive activity will be
fundamental in determining how this is best achieved.
ComReg will work with the Department of Communications, Energy and
Natural Resources to provide advice and support to this process. The
achievement of the appropriate level of regulation necessary to ensure
sustainable competition, provide consumers with price, choice and quality
and drive innovation is central to Ireland’s continued economic success.
Commenting on the Strategy Statement, ComReg Chairperson John
Doherty said “The timing of this Postal Strategy Statement is appropriate
given the consensus reached at European level on the future of postal
services although it will be some time yet before consumers will reap the
full benefits that competition brings. That is why the proposed third
Postal Directive envisages continued regulatory intervention to protect
consumers in terms of the prices, quality and services of the incumbent
operator, An Post, which is likely to retain a dominant position in the
market for some time to come.”
