Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Troy in bringing forward this matter and in regard to the strong case he has made. People are worried and concerned about the Athlone mail centre. When we lose our mail sorting centres in the counties, they go to the regions. That is fine and the regional centres are doing a good job, but if we lose that, it is a big concern.

I find it bizarre and unbelievable that, yet again, not one of the Ministers is present. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is a good replacement and he is well able to fight his corner. However, we have been told from the start that the Ministers, Deputies Humphreys and Naughten, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, had responsibility for different areas of An Post, yet not one of them is present. I understand people get caught up and have to go places, and that is acceptable, but we have three Ministers and not one of them would come in here to face the music this evening.

I have said before and repeat now that this is part of a collapse that has been deliberately allowed by the Government - it wants to get rid of 40% or 50% of An Post and it will then come in with a deal. It is unacceptable. It is not the way to govern. The Minister of State should tell us what is happening and whether we are going to have any postal service in a couple of months.

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