Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The current position in respect of the post office network is that information is emerging that An Post intends to cut the remuneration packages for postmasters. Moreover, An Post appears to be playing a game in communities throughout the country. While I do not know what game it is playing, in the case of postmasters and postmistresses who are considering their future but who wish to ensure the post office will remain within their community, even though these post offices are viable, An Post will not give a guarantee that they will be tendered for or maintained. An Post is stating it is necessary to go through the consultation process and I fear this process may simply be a smokescreen or a box-ticking exercise. As I have stated in this Chamber many times previously, it is time for Members to accept the need for a public service obligation in order that the An Post network be maintained and the company should then pursue the business. Moreover, in those communities in which postmasters and postmistresses are considering their own futures, it is time for An Post to be upfront at the outset. It must agree to tender and to seek expressions of interest and that because the post office in question is viable, it will be maintained. It should stop playing this mind-game with communities nationwide.

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