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

At the outset, the reason I used the phrase "public service obligation" is because I feel so strongly that both broadband and An Post's services should be available to every community and citizen in the State. I believe the State has an obligation to make sure these services are available, whether one lives a mile from O'Connell Street or in a remote rural area. The Minister has met representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union, which has rightly been advising postmasters and postmistresses on what is the perceived policy of An Post. Has the Minister met An Post? Has he put it to the company fairly and squarely that it appears to be playing a game with communities throughout the country in respect of their post offices? I refer to viable post offices that have transactions going through them and have a community to maintain them. It is time that An Post gave a commitment that it will seek expressions regarding tenders and will retain such a post office within a community. The Minister must talk to An Post and explain to it that if it is Government policy is to maintain the post office network, An Post as an agency of the State must continue that policy and deliver it. In addition, when will the whole-of-Government report that was commissioned by the Minister's predecessor come to a conclusion and when will Members have a discussion on it in this Chamber?

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