Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made some valuable points. On the issue of the consequences of many shops and Garda stations closing in rural areas, we must look at a model that will keep rural areas alive. The post office network contributes a great deal in that regard and will play a strong role in the future. As I said, in the document the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications published some two years ago on the future of the network, it was indicated An Post would need additional services, of which banking would be part. One needs banks and people need to be able to access money. This impacts on rural areas, whether it be tourism, agriculture or people bringing their children to school. The Deputy's points are well made. I agree that we need such infrastructure. There is no point in allowing the post office network to close down. We must give them something to do and offering banking and financial services would be really good for them. I take the Deputy's point on AIB. I am not aware of the position on other banks. There should be some communication with the banks that are working with businesses in Ireland and such banks should not forget rural areas in this context. If they close down some of their branches in rural areas, like AIB, they should provide services for customers to make them more amenable. On the point made about the clearing system, I will certainly have the issue raised with the officials.

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