An Post cannot force its customers to use roadside letter boxes, the Communications Regulator said this evening.
In a cost cutting measure, the postal company had proposed the introduction of post boxes at the edge of properties or some distance away. However, in a statement this evening, ComReg said "there is currently no provision in law" allowing An Post to go ahead with the initiative.
ComReg said An Post could offer to provide the post boxes, but customers would not be obliged to accept them nor would they be obliged to use them.
"While there clearly are merits in roadside letterboxes, and many people have installed them on their own initiative, ComReg notes that vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the disabled, who depend on delivery to the front door, should be protected," the regulator said.
An Post reacted angrily saying the ruling could mean price increases.
"It is quite astonishing that the detailed economic arguments, which accompanied our submission to ComReg, have been completely ignored in ComReg's rejection of our proposal," the company said.
"Even at this stage, it is clear that we cannot avoid a further price increase application which might involve higher prices for rural deliveries."
The chairman of the Dáil Communications Committee Mr Noel O'Flynn welcomed the ComReg decision saying it ensured the continuation of door-to-door deliveries.
"While there may be some merits in outdoor letterboxes the Dáil Communications Committee will encourage An Post to explore in greater detail other cost cutting possibilities," he said.
