Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to apologise for the unavoidable absence of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, who is attending a Cabinet meeting. As we draw this discussion on the post office network to a conclusion, I acknowledge and appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important topic. It is clearly evident from the various speakers how much the post office network matters to the daily lives of ordinary people. The post office is often the first port of call when personal, commercial or financial matters need to be transacted.

As the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, said in the Seanad and in an address to the Irish Postmasters Union, the post office is unique in that it provides a personal face-to-face service with its customers in this era of increasing moves towards faceless electronic transactions. That point has also been well made by many Members of the House.

All post offices are now computerised and automated. This, coupled with the personal touch, can only augur well for positioning the post office to do its best in rising to the demands of new business opportunities in the rapidly developing electronic commerce world.

I thank the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications for its comprehensive report, which has captured the essence of the range of issues facing the post office network. An Post, the IPU and the Government are desirous of having a strong economically viable nationwide network of post offices, where this makes sound and reasonable commercial sense. As set out in the joint committee's report, any efforts for new business must be mindful of public procurement and compliance with all relevant national and EU legislative provisions. Notwithstanding this, I wish all involved in the post office network every success as it charts its way forward. As Minister for Transport, Communications and Natural Resources and a shareholder in An Post, Deputy Rabbitte will do all he can to ensure that the future will be one in which the tradition of the well-respected post office network will be passed on to new generations.

See this speech in context