Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In County Clare, those who run 14 post offices have been offered exit packages. Rather than being offered extra services supplied through the post offices, they are being asked to leave the service when they do not want to do so. The Minister spoke about there being no compulsory closures but, effectively, what is being offered to the postmasters amounts to compulsory closure. They are being given a Hobson's choice by virtue of the fact that unacceptable financial burdens are being placed on them to sign new contracts, remain on the existing contracts with diminishing incomes or take the exit package, which is completely unacceptable to most postmasters and postmistresses who have 20, 30 or 40 years' service. Rather than devolving services to post offices, the Minister is actually showing them the door and asking them to walk through it.

The Minister has to bring this down to each individual community. He speaks in global terms but each individual post office is an essential service within the community. No matter what he says about millions being offered and investment being put in, unless they are offered additional services which are meaningful to the public, they will have to close. Post offices should not be subject to market forces. A post office is an essential part of a community and if it goes, it will never return. If they are subjected to market forces, many of these post offices will not remain in operation. They need extra services, for example, banking services and, ideally, a community banking service. Many of the postmasters who have been offered this exit package are very upset because they are being put under social pressure by their communities to remain open, even though it is not financially viable to do so, and they feel very hurt by this. The Minister needs to introduce a financially sustainable model that will allow post offices to continue. He must consult with communities, local community organisations, Leader, Irish Rural Link and the farming organisations before any post office is allowed to wither on the vine.

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