Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up the questions relating to An Post, specifically in respect of the level of engagement and analysis done in terms of post offices. Was an analysis carried out to establish whether the An Post branches in the affected areas are able to offer the full suite of services? In my constituency, Galway West, the Oughterard branch is the last one in the village and it is set to close. I have spoken to a number of businesses that have raised serious concerns. They feel that the An Post branch is far too small and already far too busy to deal with their custom as well. Ms McDonagh mentioned that there been a drop in footfall but, in the context of that branch, businesses have told me that it lost some of its services previously and that they were brought back because of the level of demand in the area.

On ATMs, Mr. Kelly mentioned that if there is no other ATM in the village, then the existing ATM will stay. On the Euronet sale that Bank of Ireland completed, I was contacted by a number of constituents who received letters stating that if they had their ATM-only cards, they would only be able to use the ATMs in the branch. How will people with ATM-only cards be impacted? Oughterard is located in a rural area and it is a fair distance to the next branch. Where will that leave them?