Ms Debbie Byrne:

Over the past 18 months, 59 postmasters resigned and we had ten closures. Some of the positions are still in the advertising process to be filled and the rest were filled. Of the ten that closed, we had no suitable applicants for six and four were in the rural consolidation areas and the business has transferred to a nearby post office. Those nearby post offices are very happy to get the business and it will ensure they survive.