James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being here to discuss the very important issues facing our postal services. I remind him that balanced regional development, of which post office service are an integral part, is a key pillar under the programme for Government. The 2020 Grant Thornton report identified the postal service as one of general economic interest due to its high public value but low commercial viability.

The service is at a critical juncture. In terms of sustainability, I have some serious concerns about the latest moves of An Post. In my view, the management of An Post has moved the postal service from a mail company that happens to be a parcel service to a parcel service that is no longer concerned about mail delivery. This was evident in the closure of the Cork sorting centre.

I have serious concerns around the proposals for the introduction of a potential priority or economy postal system. From information I have gathered in recent days, it is being suggested that the cost of next-day delivery stamps will increase from €1 to €2 and a new lower class stamp will be considered for later delivery. This will create a class stamp system for postal services and could impact on hundreds of delivery jobs for our postmen and postwomen across the country, which will not be overcome by forced early retirement packages. This approach also undermines An Post's universal service obligation to deliver mail to every house in the State, every week day for a uniform price. How will this be addressed and is it compatible with the Communications Regulation (Postal Services ) Act 2011? I am extremely concerned about this matter. The postal service is a vital part of rural life and the fabric of rural society in Ireland. There has been a stripping of this service in recent times which is not welcomed by people in rural communities. We know how important they are. In many cases, people working in An Post are the only people some individuals, particularly old age pensioners, see each day. They have an important role to play in rural life, in my view.

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