Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Hara and Mr. O'Callaghan for their presentations. I regard the post office network as an integral part of community life. It is important for people and businesses. It is vital that the Government recognises this. Following on from what Senator Dooley said, I am a strong advocate of the PSO. I feel it is the only option available to sustain the existing chain of post offices. I ask that Broadford post office in County Clare be included within such a PSO

I commend the Irish Postmasters Union on putting together the report it published last September. It is an evidence-based report which puts forward a strong case for a PSO. Other European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and Spain, have introduced such models. There is an urgency to this. The committee has a role as well in that it could make a strong recommendation. The witnesses are here today in order that we, as a committee, can stand by the postmasters' unions and make a strong case. Will Mr. O'Hara explain how a PSO would work for an individual post office and postmaster? What would it mean and what would it entail?