Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983

PART VII

Functions of Minister for Posts and Telegraphs

General ministerial powers in relation to postal and telecommunications services.

110.—(1) The Minister may issue directions in writing to either company requiring the company—

(a) to comply with policy decisions of a general kind made by the Government concerning the development of the postal or telecommunications services of which he may advise the company from time to time,

(b) to do (or refrain from doing) anything which he may specify from time to time as necessary in the national interest or to enable the Government or the State to become a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement or to discharge its obligations as a member of an international organisation or as a party to an international agreement,

(c) to perform such work or provide or maintain such services for a State authority as may be specified in the direction.

(2) Any direction under this section to a company to perform work or provide or maintain services which involves the payment of moneys by the Exchequer shall be given only with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(3) A company shall comply with every direction given to it under this section.

(4) (a) A direction to either company under this section except a direction which relates to any international organisation or agreement or to public order or security shall, if the company so requests in writing, be given by the Minister by order.

(b) Such an order shall remain in force for a specified period of not more than twelve months unless extended or revoked by order of the Minister.

(5) The Minister may stipulate, in consultation with either company and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, financial targets (including payment of dividends in respect of shares in the company) to be achieved by the company.