Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On 22 December last, a contract was signed for its renewal. That is the basis on which we need to operate in considering the motion before the House. This significant contract was a big win for the post office network in every respect. It was a big win for rural Ireland, in particular. Deputy Creed was dead right to outline what it was worth in financial terms. The retention of the 40 million social welfare transactions that are carried out through the post office network each year was a significant lifeline for the network. The approach that is taken must, invariably and undoubtedly, be based on a number of challenges. Reference has already been made in this debate to the possibility of a standard bank account being offered by An Post and the Irish League of Credit Unions as a joint venture. A significant report that was drawn up by the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications set out the challenges that exist and the opportunities that can be availed of. Everyone in this House is committed to the viability and sustainability of the post office network. My colleagues on this side of the House have set out some salient facts and figures that are worth bearing in mind during this debate.

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