An Post faces prospect of court over poor service

AN POST could be hauled before the courts and fined under a get-tough blitz on Ireland’s below-par postal service.

The semi-state firm has persistently failed to hit the Government’s target of 94% of all inland mail reaching its destination within one working day. In 2007, just 77% of mail was received in time with almost one-in-four letters arriving late, while the year before only 72% arrived the next working day.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said yesterday: “I appreciate the recent improvement in the quality of service provided by An Post and the hard work, and commitment of all at the company in achieving this.

“However, the current 77% level of service for next day delivery of mail still falls significantly short of the target set by the regulator.”

Signalling the Government’s loss of patience with An Post’s repeated promises to improve its performance, Mr Ryan has now given regulator ComReg powers to ask the High Court to fine the company for failing to meet targets.

Since 2003, An Post has failed to achieve the target set by the regulator for the delivery of 94% of all mail the next working day and 99.5% of all mail within three working days. In 2007, the company also failed to reach its own 80% target for next-day deliveries despite the pledge of bosses.

Last year, the Irish Examiner’s own survey found consumers were facing waiting times of up to three days for basic post to be delivered, while one in every four letters arrived late. This newspaper posted 100 letters nationwide and abroad, and found letters from England arrived quicker here than letters posted in Ireland.

Yesterday, An Post said it was committed to improving its deliveries and last year saw a 5% improvement in next-day delivery rates despite a 5.3% rise in the amount of letters posted compared with 2006.

“The improvement in 2007 was very satisfying for everyone in the company and now we have to ensure this is continued and sustained,” said spokeswoman Anna McHugh.

An Post has been working with the unions to improve delivery times following a period of industrial turmoil. Last night, the Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) welcomed the prospect of High Court fines for An Post.

“There needs to be some incentive for An Post to improve its performance because the only people losing at present are the customers,” said CAI chairman James Doorley.

“We hope there will be no need for ComReg to use its new power, but if delivery rates do not improve we will support them in the interests of consumers.”