Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have met representatives of An Post and I do not accept or certainly have no information available to me to suggest that a game of any kind is being played, as suggested by the Deputy. All Members wish to achieve the same outcome and want a service to be available as universally as possible nationwide. However, one must recognise the changes that have taken place in the pattern of living, of doing business and of economic activity at a local level in particular. Therefore one must try to match the compelling imperative of maintaining a post office network nationwide with the economics of the current position and this is what the Government is trying to do. The Departments and agencies of the Government must be involved in terms of the business being there for the post office network but I do not believe the post office can rely solely on that. There is an obligation all round for all stakeholders to ensure the maintenance of a viable post office network. This is what the Government intends to do and the Cabinet committee will report as soon as possible.

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