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

Yes, and I am grateful for a brief opportunity. I thank Mr. O Callaghan, Mr. O'Hara and all the witnesses for all the work they are doing. I heard earlier contributions with one politician criticising another. I do not think now is the time for politics to be played with this issue. I do not mean to be argumentative. My point is we are all part of a team. I do not care whether one is Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Independent, Sinn Féin or what one is. We are part of a team and that team's goal is to protect our post offices and save our network. The only sensible, sustainable way to do that - in my humble opinion, and I thank the Chair for the excellent work he has done today - is by having community banking in our post offices. We saw during the last financial crash that there was one respected institution, namely, our local post office. While some of the pillar banks got into trouble and got bad reputations, our post offices had an excellent network of respectable and respected postmasters who were depended on in their communities. We can expand on and grow that. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the Chair for the two minutes.