Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Regarding Killeshandra and Littleton post offices, which have been mentioned, there is a review mechanism. The community can make a submission and make the case in that regard. There is also an opportunity for retailers within those communities, if they want to take on some or all of those services, to make contact with An Post. The independent appeals body will also review the decision by An Post on what services will be provided by or offered to the new retailer.

In response to Deputy Bríd Smith's question regarding passing the parcel, I was disappointed that responsibility for the operation of the post office service in this country was split between two Departments. It was not my preference. I was happy to take that back and have responsibility for both the financial operation of An Post and the post offices. We have been working closely, prior and subsequent to that decision. I have always wanted to deal with the post offices and my record in Dáil Éireann will show that I have had an interest in this over a long number of years.

Deputies Lowry and Bríd Smith seem to give the impression that postmasters and postmistresses were given an offer that they could not refuse. If this was such a fabulous offer, it is bizarre that the majority of postmasters and postmistresses to whom it was made refused it. The majority of them has not accepted the redundancy offer.

Deputy Lowry knows better than anyone, as does every member, whether he or she is prepared to admit it, that at the previous general election the postmasters came to each of us and sought two measures: first, that there would be a modernisation plan put in place for the post office, which we are doing, and, second, that a redundancy package would be made available to postmasters who wanted to get out and we are providing that. The third measure which was sought is in the programme for Government, which was to consider the provision of new services by post offices. That is happening and will continue to happen during the term of this Government.