Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. There are ministerial representatives on the board of An Post to represent the interests of the Minister as a shareholder. The Minister of State referred to facilitating business expansion by the post office counter business but An Post is turning its back on 4,000 customers by closing the post office. That will not expand any business.

Expanding the services available within An Post is all very fine, but when the source of the service is closed it flies in the face of such a policy. An Post has replaced post offices in smaller communities in recent times across Mayo. We want it to put an advertisement in a newspaper and ask people if they are interested in providing a post office service. At least then there would be some sort of transparency. An Post has given the Minister of State a response stating it is only four miles to Foxford or six miles to Ballina. Older people who do not have buses or a DART service are affected. Families are already stretched in terms of providing services. We talk about expanding the business of An Post but this policy will lead to a decline in its business.

If any business turned its back on 4,000 customers, as a shareholder the Minister has the right to ask questions. It is not an area of overarching ministerial responsibility. The Minister represents shareholders and has the right to ask why An Post is abandoning potential customers.

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