Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been a postmaster since 2003 and I am proud to be one. This Private Members' motion was framed in a constructive manner and is non-contentious. Quite frankly, I am surprised the Government decided to table an amendment to it. Quite simply, it is asking the Government to honour a commitment it made in its programme for Government to ensure the sustainability of the post office network. The Government must acknowledge the fact that 48% of the branch network carries out 11% of business. While the Government talks about An Post being a commercial State company, many of the branches are not commercially viable. There needs to be clear recognition from the Government of the unique and vital social contribution made by the An Post network to the State. It is not just making an economic contribution to the State, but a vital social contribution.

It is disingenuous for the Minister to talk about previous reductions in the branch network under the previous Administration. What he failed to admit is that these reductions were voluntary and made at a time when there was huge investment in the computerisation of the post office network and certain people did not choose to have their operations computerised. The facts speak for themselves. An independent report from Grant Thornton cited clear examples of how State services could be provided through the post office network while, at the same time, saving the State money. It is amazing that three years into the lifetime of this Government, it now talks about a whole-of-government approach. Why did it take three years, the spreading of fear and anxiety into the people in the communities served by the post office network and the Irish Postmasters' Union having to come to Leinster House to protest for the Minister to sit up and take note of what needs to be done?

If we look at the record so far, the driving licence debacle was framed in such a way that it was disadvantageous for An Post to tender for that service. When the Minister spoke about the broadcasting fee a few short months' ago, he said that Revenue did a good job collecting the household charge so it might collect the broadcasting fee. Government Deputies and the Minister have alluded to the fact that An Post won the contract to provide the service on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. It did, but what is the Department now doing? It is writing to all recipients of social welfare payments advocating that they get their money paid electronically into their bank account. We have the farcical situation where Government Deputies come in here and call on the Department to cease this practice. They are in Government. Never mind calling on it, they should instruct the Department to cease this practice and honour the tender that has been won. They should work with the Irish Postmasters' Union and the various agencies to ensure that they honour the commitment made in the programme for Government and support the many communities the length and breadth of this country both urban and rural to ensure we retain the sustainability of the post office network. In my short time in this House, I have never been contacted so frequently by phone, e-mail or post than by people who are extremely worried that the future of their post office, which is the heart of their community, is not safe as long as this Government is in power.

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