Council unamimously backs Tuffy's motion supporting An Post and the Universal Services Obligation
Issued : Wednesday 12 January, 2011
Below is an extract from the Minutes of the December monthly meeting of South Dublin County Council. As you will see the Council approved, with the unanimous agreement of all councillors present a Motion supporting An Post, which I proposed and which was seconded by my Labour councillor colleague, Mayor Eamon Maloney. The purpose of having the Motion passed was to make An Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications aware of the support of councillors of all Parties and Independents for An Post and the importance of protecting the Universal Services Obligation.
M25/1312 AN POST
It was proposed by Councillor E. Tuffy, seconded by Councillor E. Maloney and AGREED without debate:
“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 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 issue 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.”
Cllr 
