Why are SGI essential for consumers ?

• SGIs are also deemed essential to ensure citizens’ participation in social and economic life; for example, energy supply, public transport and postal services.

• The key elements of SGIs are their accessibility to the public, price affordability and quality.

• Traditionally, SGIs have been provided by the State and not the free market. The reason for this is that the free market will only decide to provide these services as long as it will result in a profit for them. Therefore, there may be occasions where it is not cost-effective to provide an SGI to an individual or group.

• Where people live in remote areas and the cost to provide them with the SGI would be prohibitively expensive, often governments who provide SGIs.

• A good example of this in Ireland is the postal service that is provided by An Post. An Post, which is owned by the state, must provide a universal service to everyone and every organisation who resides in Ireland. While many other postal service providers operate in Ireland, only An Post is obliged to provide specific services because access to a postal service is considered essential to ensure Irish people’s participation in social and economic life.

• The approach to SGI provision has evolved in recent years. It is characterised by increased liberalisation and consumer safeguards, and an intensive exchange of views on European citizenship and European values.