Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be able to speak on this motion. I commend the Regional Group on bringing it forward. We spoke on this issue ourselves only a few weeks ago, when we held a press conference outside of Leinster House. This issue needs urgent attention. There is much talk and gestures from Government and many references in the programme for Government about supporting our post office network. However, this has not been matched by action. The post office network, in rural and urban areas, is facing significant challenges, especially with the average rate of payment falling by 20% since last week. The Bank of Ireland branch services that have been in operation in some post offices are also in danger. We want action from Government so that they provide the additional range of services that were promised to post offices as far back as 2018. The Government parties must step up to the mark. They must protect our post offices. They must provide them with support to help them to remain viable within communities, particularly rural communities, where small businesses also depend on the post office network. There are many communities, as I know from my constituency of Laois-Offaly, where many banks have closed in the community. All that is left now is the post office. I am calling for the Government parties to please put their money where their mouth is, make sure that supports go in, and that the range of services that have been promised since 2018 are put in place. I also appeal to constituents to please continue to use the post offices. Communities should avail of post offices, because we need to make sure that Government does not use any excuse to close our post offices. We are fortunate in my community to have a post office in Kinnitty, County Offaly. We want that retained and maintained.

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