Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I have listened with interest to the points raised by the Deputy.

As I indicated earlier, decisions relating to post offices are an operational matter for An Post and not a matter in which the Minister has a statutory function. The Deputy will appreciate that the Minister cannot intervene in matters which we as an Oireachtas have given An Post a statutory responsibility to fulfil. An Post has an independent board, which has a clear mandate. I trust the Deputy understands that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on operational matters relating to proposals for specific post offices. An Post plays an important role in servicing the needs of businesses and domestic customers alike, and An Post advises that this is at the forefront of its mandate. The board and the management work to maintain the company's sustainability and its relevance to customers into the future.

The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, their officials and Cabinet colleagues are working to support the company to that end. The Minister and the Minister of State, with the Department officials, will reflect on the concerns the Deputy has outlined today.

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