Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This societal matter concerns urban and rural Deputies from all parties. I believe the problem that is developing in this area results to a large degree from changes in the modern economy. The post office network, which operates in urban and rural Ireland, has traditionally been very well respected and still is. I have met postmasters who have told me clearly, in no uncertain terms, that they are facing serious financial challenges. This is essentially about survival from a business perspective if these people are to keep operating on the ground. I do not think any Government, regardless of its colours, should allow them to stop operating. In the past, we have seen great losses in traditional areas of activity in this country. I refer to the closure of railway lines and Eircom networks. Such closures are regretted to this day. We cannot allow further closures to take place in this sector.

There is no doubt that technological advances have led to real challenges in this area. We all know the difference between e-mail and "snail mail", or post. Features of e-commerce like electronic financial transfers are now a commercial reality. They are not going to go away. In my opinion, their use is only going to increase. What can we do about this reality? How can we respond to it? That is where the challenge lies.

I suggest that a three-pronged approach across Government Departments is needed. It must be accompanied by a real determination within An Post to review its business model and try to attract new business into the post office network. The citizens of this country - An Post's customers - also have a responsibility in this regard. I challenge everyone, including myself, to examine how much business we are sending away from post offices. We might be doing it inadvertently or unknowingly. We all need to take stock and check what we are doing. This debate offers us a good opportunity to feed into the process of reviewing how we do business. We are familiar with the need to support local shops. If one supports the multinationals rather than the local shop, the local shop will close. This is no different.

I welcome the Minister's statement last night that he intends to get the Cabinet sub-committee to review and analyse how the post office network can be given more support across Departments. I think that is essential. The key and the nub of the issue is whether we place a social value on this network. If we do, we need to move away from the mentality of Departments spending money in silos. If a social element is not included in the budget of each Department, accountants and financial administrators will automatically be able to impose cuts on any part of the budget that suits them. This problem is where the nub of the issue lies.

I would like to conclude by focusing on three areas. Is An Post committed to retaining this network? That is a challenge for An Post. Do the people of Ireland want to support the post office network? That is a challenge for everyone, including public representatives. Government Deputies, including backbenchers, must work with the Minister to ask the various Departments and the leading Ministers to review how they do their business.

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