Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As regards anything that I have responsibility for in An Post, my form has been to take quick, decisive action. When the issues concerning An Post were brought to my attention, I did just that. The reality is that a decision was taken on 19 July by the Government to transfer responsibility for the post office network to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department.

Naturally enough, as a Deputy from a rural constituency, I know the impact this issue is having on the post office network. I have a huge personal interest in this matter and I have been involved in discussions on it with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, to see how the Government can acknowledge the fact that the post office network is a government network. There is a responsibility on all Ministers to put work through that network which would sustain the maximum possible number of post offices. As Deputies have said, there is an opportunity here to maximise the retention of the network if every Minister takes responsibility and examines how we can improve efficiency within our own Departments and put work through the post office network. When the Kerr report sought submissions, I made a submission as a Deputy which I believe still stands today.

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