Communications regulator ComReg is to examine the quality of service provided by An Post for ordinary letters posted by businesses and individuals.
ComReg said this mail, known as 'single piece priority mail', accounts for about 51% of An Post's revenue from domestic services, but does not always get priority service.
ComReg chairman John Doherty said prices had increased substantially over the past two years 'but there has been no discernible improvement in quality'. He added that targets set by ComReg had not been met.
Figures to September 2003 in ComReg's consultation document show that 73% of all mail was delivered òn the next working day, compared with a target of 94% set by ComReg. The 73% figure was well down on the 90% recorded in 2002.
The regulator now intends to review the targets set for the company, and is inviting customers to say what they would regard as a reasonable standard of service.
It will also ask An Post why it has not been possible to provide next day delivery for a greater proportion of letters.
An Post said it is studying ComReg's document in detail. It said it was particulary concerned about the lack of emphasis on cost issues, which ultimately impact on prices.
In a statement, An Post said its prices for letter services are among the lowest in the EU and it operates a next-day delivery standard for all mail, whereas in many other countries there are first and second-class standards.
Earlier, ComReg said it was planning new rules covering the wholesale broadcasting transmission market following a review.
ComReg has concluded that RTE Networks is dominant in the transmission of analogue national terrestrial television and radio. It says it is proposing 'to oblige RTE Networks to operate in a transparent and non-discriminatory fashion'.
This would include some level of accounting separation, allowing customers to compare amounts charged by RTE to various broadcasters.
* RTE said this obligation presents no difficulty to RTÉ Networks, which is already operating in a non-discriminatory and transparent fashion.
