Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I completely agree. Prior to the local elections, a debate was raging throughout the country about post offices. The overarching message from people within the communities we both serve was that the post office was an important one-stop-shop where people could meet. This must be the ultimate focus of any debate with An Post as technology improves.

We spoke earlier about broadband and that we will try to bring either wireless, fibre or copper to every home but we do not want to create a society where people do everything from their sitting room. We must focus on the idea that people must still meet each other. There are many suggestions being made to the Department, for example, that post offices should be developed to have a sharper focus on banking. AIB has a contract in this respect and Aviva has a contract relating to insurance. The Revenue Commissioners includes An Post as one of the three avenues for people paying property tax, so we must be conscious of keeping people moving through the doors of post offices. Ultimately, it is a place for people to meet. Some people have even proposed that they could become types of Internet hubs as well for people to access online facilities. There are plenty of creative options, including that from the Deputy, and we will work from the Government policy of keeping those post offices.

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