Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. I engaged with them last evening at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party. I want to state publicly my support for the IPU in its campaign to achieve the ultimate aims that are set out in the Grant Thornton report. The Government needs to step up to the plate and provide the €12 million that is required. I certainly believe that we need to get a decision on this urgently and that we need a positive decision from the Minister of State.

Many of the questions I intended to pose have already been asked. They would have been in terms of the type of engagement the union has had with Government. Mr. O'Hara confirmed that the last meeting with the Minister of State was before Christmas. Has Mr. O'Hara sought a meeting since then with the Minister of State to get an update? The committee will be meeting with the Minister of State next week. I am engaging with her on a one-to-one basis and have written to the her. I met members of the IPU in my office in Ennis. They put across a robust case.

The post office is at the heart of every community. It is an integral part of community life. It would be a retrograde step if we were to dismantle that critical service in our communities. Twelve million euro is really a small sum to pay to sustain all those post offices.

I strongly endorse the union's stance. I ask the Chairman that the committee do so as well, and make it clear to the Government that we want a positive result on this and we need it urgently.