Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak here tonight on such an important issue - one that affects the backbone of our society. I congratulate Deputy Healy and the Technical Group on bringing this Private Members' motion before the House. I ask the Minister not to attack the most vulnerable in our society and to pledge Government support for the post office network. I ask him to work with the Irish Postmasters' Union and rather than downgrade services, increase the range and type of services that post offices can offer. He should provide facilities for people to pay motor tax, water charges and other local authority payments. He should allow members of the public to renew their driving licences, update the register of electors, complete forms electronically or pay hospital charges. There are many opportunities to upgrade and improve the network which will not only increase efficiency and result in net savings for the Exchequer, but make life easier for people, especially those in rural Ireland.

In 2012, Grant Thornton was commissioned to undertake an independent review of the post office service. I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to its document assessing the post office network, which highlights all of the opportunities that exist to strengthen and develop the post office network while making public services more efficient.

It would also signal strong support for rural, disadvantaged and isolated communities that traditionally rely on the post office for basic services.

I will cite the document prepared by the Irish Postmasters' Union, IPU, on what will happen if the Government does not produce a plan. It reads:

Post Offices will close, communities will suffer - and the disadvantaged will suffer disproportionately. Rural communities will suffer both socially and economically while disadvantaged urban areas ... will also be badly affected ... If the Post Office is lost the heart of the community is gone. The social impact will be devastating.

I compliment the IPU on its excellent presentation to Oireachtas Members in recent weeks and I call on all Deputies with rural constituencies to support this motion.

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