Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Reference was made to Private Members' business and most of the Minister's response merits our support because he restated the Government's intention in the programme for Government to sustain the post office network. The Minister also stated the Government has no intention of closing post offices. However, it was what the Minister said further on in his response that concerns me. There seems to be a fatal acceptance by the Government that all the trade will move from the town and village high street to shopping centres in major county and provincial centres of population. That could be a self-fulfilling prophecy unless the Government steps in, and if we do not have a strategy that is what will happen. If that is what happens, then whether the Government wishes it, not only will post offices close but every business, including all the shops, will close in the high streets of towns and villages. I call on the Minister to look again at the response he gave to that point. There is more to the country than major shopping centres in major centres of population and we should nurture what is precious in the smaller towns and villages as well as looking after the cities.

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