Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I have to declare an interest as I am postmaster of a small post office. On page 48 of the programme for Government a clear commitment is given to our post offices. Can the Taoiseach explain why, today, we have a report of 80 post offices closing? That is not the big story, however. The big story is that, as I told the Taoiseach before in this House, 700 post offices will close in the next three years. The Taoiseach will not close them, nor will the next Taoiseach. It is ourselves who will close them. I was speaking to a postmaster today who told me his income will go from €27,000 down to €12,000. The Government needs to implement the merit of the motion we brought before this House, which got unanimous support in November from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Government, the Independents and everyone else. Unless the Government implements that in a real fashion and brings in community banking to follow the success around the world such as in China or New Zealand-----

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