Postal Legislation

National:

The Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 (No. 24/1983) established An Post as the universal postal service provider in Ireland. An electronic copy of the act can be found on the Irish Statute Book website here.

The European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 616/2002) gives effect to EU Directive 97/67/EC which sets out the rules for the development of a liberalised postal market and the improvement of quality of postal service standards.A copy of the Regulations can be found on the Irish Statute Book website here.

The European Communities (Postal Services ) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 135/2008) amend the 2002 regulations and confer greater powers on the Postal Regulator, ComReg, to ensure An Post's compliance with directions given by the regulator in regard to quality of service standards and other postal issues.  A copy of the regulations can be found here.

EU:

Directive 97/67/EC sets out the rules for the development of a liberalised postal market and the improvement of quality of postal service standards.

Directive 2002/39/EC amends 97/67/EC and sets out the terms regarding the further opening to competition of EU postal services.

Directive 2008/6/EC amends 97/67/EC and sets the date and terms for full liberalisation of EU postal services.