Blog on here: In the ongoing debate about An Post's worsening service, the only response from them has been to you (June 18th) - and it qualifies for the Jargon of the Year Award.

Totally avoiding the specifics, they waffle on in corporate speak about being "fully committed", and talk of a "new initiative". The regulator and the consumer spokesperson are equally watery in their comments. The numbers speak for themselves - less than 80 per cent of mail is delivered on the next day. The service is appalling - there is no other word for it. - Paul

Ryanair's number is up

With regard to Ryanair's premium-rate number at its call centre: recently, I spent two unsuccessful hours trying to: a) call the number, only to discover that the number is no longer in use, according to my service provider; and b) obtain another number so I could speak to someone to advise them that I wish to cancel a flight due to illness, and obtain some communication from them that I have cancelled.

But it is impossible to get to speak to a live person and even obtaining information from their website is a fruitless exercise. I live in hope that sometime soon I might actually obtain the information I am looking for. At this stage I am going to revert back to paper and pen and write to their refunds department, although I don't hold out much hope for a speedy response.