Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Postmasters and postmistresses up and down the country have served this country well for decades, never more so than during the Covid pandemic in recent years. Now, they are being cast aside. We have had many reports, including the Grant Thornton report. Last night the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, threatened strike action, which is very stiff action by it. It does not usually do this, as its members serve the people. The IPU is being ignored by the Government, and successive Governments of which the Tánaiste has been a member. This has been raised by Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and others many times. We need an urgent debate on this issue. Under the new contract, 700 to 800 post offices could disappear in January or February 2023. Then we will be crying when the horse has bolted. It is very important that we have a meaningful debate in this House regarding the treatment of postmasters and postmistresses. Postmen and postwomen also did and do great work. We must cherish them and not squeeze them out of business.

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