Mr. David McRedmond:

I would have to look at extending the deadline. As the committee will be aware, there are other pressures because people want decisions made quickly but certainly I will take that question away. I cannot answer here but I will certainly do that and it is not An Post's intention to rush people. At the same time, people are saying postmasters and postmistresses are closing offices, so we have to balance that. I will revert to Deputy Harty on that.

I accept Deputy Kenny's point about An Post being clear about the definition of 500 people and I have committed to come back to the committee regarding precisely what that is. It is an issue around planning, boundaries and distances. An Post has to use some objective criteria, but I will respond to the Deputy on that.