Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have had enough reports in this regard. What we really want now is action. If the Government is going to stand aside passively, post offices are going to disappear. We need decisive action and we need the Government to support post offices actively.

The Irish Postmasters' Union projects that in the next five years the income for the average post office will drop by 50%. That will lead to the demise of these post offices. Up to 500 communities are going to lose their post office structure. If the Government does not act, it will passively strangle post offices. Many Deputies on both sides of the House have no wish to see that happen, especially when solutions are available and can be implemented readily. If there is will and imagination, post offices can survive, giving an extraordinary social dividend. The Government must act decisively. Waiting on reports is not going to save our post offices. We need decisive action.

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