Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman has had to step out for a moment so I am stepping into his role. The first person up is Deputy Crowe. Since he is not here, I will take the couple of minutes assigned to him.

I thank Ms Bolger for her work on the board to date. I know the role she will take on as chairman. She comes with considerable experience of An Post, in the first instance, and a very wide area of expertise. She is very much valued by the company. I served as Opposition spokesperson for this area in the past. I recall a time of considerable difficulty for An Post. The then Minister ring me late one night to say he was going to Cabinet the next day with a proposal to increase the price of the postage stamp, such was the perilous nature of the company. I had to go to my parliamentary party and get them to support it from an opposition perspective. We did so because we believed in An Post, its management and board, and all the staff around the country who do a hell of a good job.

We have had issues in the past about the closure of post offices and we would like to keep that under review because we see the post office as a vital component of the heartbeat of many villages. Where post offices have, sadly, closed, it has taken away a significant State involvement in the village. I ask Ms Bolger, in her role as chair, to keep an eye on that, to look for opportunities to retain post offices wherever possible and to try to retain the network.

In recognition of the work of An Post, I would like to particularly compliment to Mr. David McRedmond and Mr. Angus Laverty. They are two people who engage fully with Members of these Houses. Whether the news is bad or good, they are always available. From time to tome, as I have said, we have to deal with the bad news of the closure of post offices on the behalf of our constituents. I have found Mr. Laverty and Mr. McRedmond to be of the greatest support and assistance. I want Ms Bolger to convey to them and to all the staff my thanks and the thanks of all Members of these Houses for the tremendous work they do. They are an invaluable element of the company.

I do not have any direct question for Ms Bolger. I wish her well. She has my support and that of the committee.