Marshalled List of Amendments

25 SEPTEMBER 2014

Private Members’ Business – Motions

Item 4: Order Paper 228/11-16 – 29 September 2014

Motion: Postal Charges

That this Assembly expresses concern at the continuing existence of barriers to greater north-south economic development; fully recognises the importance of a reliable, affordable and effective postal delivery service, particularly to micro and small businesses; further recognises the findings in the recent Ofcom Communications Market Report whereby 47 per cent of people questioned felt that the current costs of posting a letter across the border represented poor value for money; further expresses concern at the significant additional cost differential and time delay to deliver post intended for across the border; calls for all companies and agencies involved in postal delivery to introduce a single pricing structure for mail being delivered anywhere on the island of Ireland; and further calls for the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to raise this matter at a forthcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) when it meets in Trade & Business Sectoral Format and to use the NSMC to exert maximum pressure on the above companies and agencies.

[Mr P Flanagan]
[Ms M Fearon] 

Amendment 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘small businesses;’ and insert:

‘expresses concern at the threat to the viability of rural post offices that direct delivery competition presents and the significant additional cost differential and time delay to deliver cross border mail; and calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to assist businesses by working in conjunction with her North South Ministerial Council colleagues and her counterparts in the Westminster Government  to ensure the long term viability of a universal postal service which incorporates a value for money cross border service.’

[Mr P McGlone]
[Mr J Dallat]
[Mr D Bradley]