Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I had hoped the Government had learned from the errors of its predecessor but the fact that we are here tonight fighting to save our post offices shows that nothing has changed. I have seen five post offices targeted for closure in my west Cork constituency, including a three-generation post office in Allihies, which will close in January, Drinagh post office, which will close in October, and Minane Bridge post office. Ballineen and Desertserges post offices have already closed their doors. I sincerely thank the O'Driscoll family in Ballineen for 44 years of service and Hannie Crowley in Desertserges for 43 years of service to the people.

The Government is continuously letting down the people of rural Ireland. For years, postmasters and postmistresses have had to put up with living on the minimum wage and being treated terribly by the Government. In the last two weeks in west Cork alone, I have seen the closure of Lisgriffin national school, Ballineen post office, Hickey's foodstore in Kilbrittain and Lordan's butcher shop in Ballinspittle. Rural Ireland is suffering every day as our community amenities close. We have seen the closure of schools, banks, post offices, Garda stations and local shops. Where does this end? The Government promised rural proofing during talks to form an Administration. Rural proofing is meant to be a commitment by the Government to review and examine all public policy to ensure it does not disadvantage rural areas. Where is the rural proofing here? How many more post offices will the Government close? No new services were injected into rural post offices. The only Government policy was to get rid of them.

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