Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a reference in page 6 of the programme for Government to making our older years better years and another reference on pages 38 and 39 to a just and fair society and a more inclusive prosperity. Chapter 4 is on jobs and rural development, while there is a reference on page 46 to protecting local services. Eighteen post offices have been designated for closure in County Galway, of which only one has a serious issue. Those involved with this post office have met the review team, but it has failed to consider that the post office is located in a rural settlement and that a decision on it cannot be based on the parameters such as the population within a speed limit area. I am sure that the Taoiseach's Independent Minister has already made many representations on this as there has been public meeting after public meeting on it. The closure of the post office is contrary to the county development plan as it requires people to leave the county to go to Banagher in County Offaly.

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