Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will get into the solutions. It has been said that every settlement of more than 500 people will have a postal service. I am from the Inishowen peninsula and the electoral register, which does not even cover the total population, indicates Ballyliffin has 686 residents, Culdaff has 795 residents, Culkeeny in Malin has 544 residents and Dunaff in the Urris area of Clomany has 476 residents. It is clear that whatever criteria are being used by the company is not correct.

In all those areas there are community facilities and vibrant community groups running innovative community projects. Is there some way of linking to this and creating social economy models in some areas? The Minister, Deputy Naughten, is correct to reference the credit union movement and community banking. Is there some way of forming a partnership between the credit union movement, which is vibrant across the island, with the post office network? It has been referenced in the Bobby Kerr report. Others have spoken about the New Zealand or German community banking models. We must have an honest discussion.

Will the witnesses confirm that 755 post offices were closed in the period I mentioned? I am 99% certain I am right but I would like it confirmed on the record. What limitations have been put on the Minister and Mr. McRedmond arising from the EU postal services directive? There are many good people here today making a case to save these post offices and preventing others closing. Is there a case for arguing for repeal or the loosening of the directive as it applies to Irish rural communities? Is there a case for partnerships with the credit union movement across the State? Is there a case for partnerships within a social economy model with community groups based in almost all these areas across the State?