Mr. Mark Griffin:

The information we have from An Post is that this is not the type of consultation process in which it engages. The Deputy's experience may be different but when it comes to making a decision, An Post takes into account the level of business at the post office, customer access to service elsewhere, capacity of neighbouring offices and network coverage. There are a range of factors, not only the level of business at the office. We have discussed this with An Post and I do not get the sense that when someone indicates their intention to retire, An Post immediately goes in and pulls down the shutters - far from it. I believe it is very conscious of the needs and concerns of local communities. It is also conscious of politicians at local level and the difficulty this poses for them. I do not have a sense from An Post that the process is as brutal as the Deputy describes.