Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister has responsibility for rural employment. What is his view on the Government's decentralisation policies for transferring jobs from major centres to rural areas? Why did he allow the closure of 500 rural post offices? The country now has 1,200 post offices. How can he stand by while Teagasc closes an office from Crossmolina, a rural area, and reopens it in a town? How can he accept the closure of rural courthouses proposed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?

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