Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I am not sure how far the Minister's writ extends in these issues but I am anxious that post offices would not close down along our coasts. The Minister is also responsible for rural development. Does he have a role in protecting existing post offices in a Gaeltacht area in my county? I am sure the Minister is very familiar with Rann na Feirste. The post office there, which probably predates the foundation of the State, has been closed. The same thing has happened in the next village, Croithlí. It is happening all over rural Ireland. I agree with Deputy Boyle on the need to have post offices automated as much as possible. Does the Minister have a role in ensuring that post offices remain open and that services remain available to the people in these rural areas? I am sure the Minister will agree that having a post office in an area is a valuable facility. Very often, it is the only State-sponsored facility in an area and it is a backward step to close it down. Does the Minister have a view on that and what is his responsibility as Minister with responsibility for rural development?

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