The telecoms regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, has sought contributions from interested parties on her regulation of An Post's business.

In a statement, Ms Doyle said she would examine the State company's cost-accounting procedures to ensure they are robust enough to verify that prices are "geared to cost". She will also determine whether costs are effectively controlled.

An Post, which has very low profit margins, is known to regard Ms Doyle's charge of £2 million (€2.54 million) for her regulation as excessive.

Ms Doyle said she had responsibility to ensure that all its charges conformed with the EU's Postal Directive. Such principles were developed to ensure An Post does not engage in unfair competition by subsidising services open to competition with excess charges on services within the reserved area.