Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The post office network is hugely important to the life of rural Ireland and to many citizens living in urban areas. This is as true in my own constituency of Louth as it is everywhere else in this State. The closure of Garda stations, local post offices and the transport systems, as well as the shutting down of rural schools, is tearing the heart out of rural communities. Economic collapse and austerity are forcing a whole generation of young people to emigrate and this is having a devastating effect on the social fabric of rural Ireland in particular but also in many urban areas, although in rural parishes it is much more obvious and visible. There has been an increase in isolation, loneliness and suicide rates. There is a real risk that this situation could continue to deteriorate.

The Grant Thornton report suggests that up to 557 post offices out of 1,150, face possible closure with devastating effects. I commend all those who provide our post office service, some of whom are here in the Visitors Gallery. I commend the postmistresses and postmasters who have shown remarkable resilience. They provide essential public services as well as a vital social hub for local people, particularly those who may be isolated. The Government needs to bring forward a coherent, properly resourced strategy with firm proposals to secure the future of the post offices and the 3,000 citizens who are employed in them.

The programme for Government promises to ensure that the network of post offices around the State is maintained and that communities have access to adequate local postal services. I would like to think that the Government will keep this election promise and that the Minister will ensure that it is honoured. I ask all Deputies to support this motion.

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