Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity of speaking in this very important debate on the post office network. I commend my colleague, Deputy Seamus Healy, and my Independent colleagues for bringing this motion before the House. I fully support the Irish Postmasters' Union in its efforts to save its members' businesses, staff and excellent community service. I remind the Minister and the House that the post office network employs over 3,000 people. The post office network plays a key role in providing financial services and it is one of the most important brands in the country and helps to deter fraud. The post office is at the heart of every Irish community. For these reasons we should support this motion. I urge all Deputies to support the proposals in this very sensible motion.

The Government cannot keep talking about jobs and job creation and then put 450 to 500 people in post offices out of work between 2013 and 2017. The loss of €20 million in revenue a year brings into question the future sustainability of postmasters. I am conscious of the impact of closures of post offices in communities in my constituency of Dublin Bay North and around the country. Now is the time to stand up for our post offices and for our community services. Sitting on the fence or staying silent in this debate is not an option. In Kilbarrack, Coolock, Artane, Beaumont, Raheny, Darndale, Howth or Sutton, the people want a top quality post office service and we all need to get behind them before it is too late. If the Minister and his colleagues do not support this motion they are in breach of their programme for Government and they will be voting against the sustainability of the post office network. No more fudge, no more ducking and diving. The issue is about preserving jobs and the future of this country. The post office network is a unique social, cultural and financial institution essential to local communities and it makes a vital contribution to the Irish economy. It employs over 3,000 people throughout the country. It is the backbone of rural and urban communities.

The Department of Social Protection plans for the electronic transfer of social welfare payments pose a serious threat to the future of the post office network. Without the income derived from the Department of Social Protection and NTMA contracts, the viability of the post office network will be destabilised. It will directly cause a reduction in cash payments at post offices which will ultimately lead to many closures and job losses throughout the country. The post office network provides a vital national strategic asset.

This motion is about the future of our post offices and the saving of local community services; it is about the future of 3,000 jobs; it is about common sense and new ideas for developing the services of the network. I urge all Deputies to support this urgent and important motion and to vote for it tomorrow night.

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