Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a very serious issue that goes right to the heart of rural Ireland. As Deputy Gallagher said, in the past year Donegal has seen the closure of 17 post offices. That is the heart ripped out of 17 rural locations across our county. We were told time and again by Government and by An Post that this was about securing the network, the other 950 post offices. Lo and behold, right after the local elections - the timing was calculated by Government and An Post - they announced the further closure of a post office. This is a post office that serves a vibrant rural community and a vibrant textile industry in Kilcar. Many people will know of the brands that come out of that area and how the industry ships its products through the local post office. A post office that has served that community for many decades is about to close within the next couple of days. No opportunity has been given to the community to come together, to organise and to make a proper appeal to An Post.

The reality is that this closure should not be forced upon the community. It should not be left to the 300 people who turned up at the public meeting myself, Deputy Gallagher and Deputy Pringle attended. This should be a decision by Government. We, in Sinn Féin, tabled a motion before this Dáil last year and got approval from the other political parties that no post office should be closed. The Minister needs to listen to the will of the people and their representatives in this House. It is scandalous that the people of Kilcar are being pushed into this situation. Our ask today is twofold. First, the Government must intervene. Second, at the very least a six-month extension must be given to allow for the community to organise, to plan and to make the proper case to An Post if An Post at this point is not willing to reverse its decision. I am asking for that commitment from the Minister of State.

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