Mr. Brian McGann:

Unfortunately, one of the things which has sustained the network in recent years is the high number of jobseekers. As a result of their being made unemployed, many people have unfortunately been driven to use the post office network. I could go back 20 years and show members huge figures in respect of this matter or I could show them very small figures from last week. I am absolutely certain that if we lose the €20 million we get from the social welfare payments contract, then hundreds of post offices will close. If any of us are still here in three years time, that is what we will be contemplating.