Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----then there will be the option to transfer the business to another business locally or to another post office if it is within a certain range. The whole point is to ensure An Post has a future. Up until six months ago, this was a company with a bleak financial outlook. We now have a situation where An Post is back in profit and we need to ensure it remains so permanently. We must use An Post's entire infrastructure to the fullest possible extent, recognising it has a role in rural community infrastructure, which the Deputy knows only too well about because of his own involvement. The Government is very aware of this role. The Deputy and I have spoken in government formation talks about the importance of the post office network. That is understood in the Government, particularly among rural Deputies. It is led by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, who has worked with An Post to ensure a viable plan is in place and one with which the postmasters can agree.

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