Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and Mr. McRedmond for meeting us today because there are many anxious people in Kerry and all over the country who are concerned about what is happening. I want to thank the postmasters and postmistresses who have decided to take this package. I know one man whom no one could begrudge retiring because he has spent 56 years behind the counter.

Nobody can blame him for taking the package. I wish him well for the years he has left because he served his community very well. The Minister and Mr. McRedmond can dress it up whatever way they wish but 159 communities will be hit by the closure of these post offices, including young people, old people and people who have no way of travelling outside their parish other than by paying for a taxi. People in this room might not know it, but there are no taxis available during the day in rural areas. That is a fact. In Dublin, from the Red Cow Hotel to the city, there are all kinds of services. People do not realise that these are missing outside that area. What will be done about that?

Some 12 post offices are to close in Kerry. Nine of them are in north Kerry and in the case of two of them the nearest next post office is in County Limerick. I have no complaints about Limerick-----