Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Seven post offices across the constitutency of Cavan-Monaghan are set to close. Of course, the Minister has a responsibility to ensure viability, but the most important reason should be the social conscience and social fabric of communities. In the areas in question those who will be hit hardest will be the elderly and the most vulnerable. The Minister spoke about the changing era and technology being the cause of all of this. I can assure him that most houses across counties Cavan and Monaghan and the rest of rural Ireland do not have broadband; therefore, it is not the case that they can turn to technology to compensate for the loss of their post offices. The issue of broadband provision would need to be well sorted out before we consider closing any post office. The towns and villages where it is proposed to force post offices to close have already lost their banks, have no ATMs and perhaps seen the closure of Garda stations. This may be the last financial institution standing in those towns and villages. Last year I held a public meeting in Shercock that was attended by over 200 people. There was a public meeting in Killeshandra that was attended by hundreds of people. Last Saturday hundreds of people attended a meeting in Kilnaleck. People do care. It is not an issue that will go away. Deputy Timmy Dooley made a very valid point about the public service obligation, at which the Minister should look.

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