Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and I know there are many other matters in his brief on which he has had to concentrate in his short time in office. When he gets the opportunity to review some of the discussion and debate, particularly the proposals made by Fianna Fáil, he may recognise that there are people and communities who see the post office service as being essential, and the distance they are now expected to travel to these other offices is way too far for the vulnerable people whom the post offices serve. I accept and recognise that An Post must consider viability, it is incumbent on the State to provide a level of support through a public service obligation, if necessary, to support the provision of post office services in certain communities. It is in that vein I would have thought the Government should have taken a more proactive role in trying to decipher those offices that were absolutely necessary from those that were nice to have. When the Minister reads into the brief in a more complete way, he will come to the realisation that vast tracts of dispersed rural population require a service, although not commercially viable, that should be given the support of the State. There are plenty of other services in the State that are not financially viable but which are important facets of the community. They therefore deserve the protection and support of the taxpayer.

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