Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome Tom O'Callaghan to the Public Gallery. The Government strongly acknowledges the important role of post offices in urban and rural communities all over the country. Sometimes they are held up as being important only in rural areas but they are important in urban areas too. The Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, has been working on this issue and is about to bring a proposal to Government in respect it. We are conscious that the transformation payments that were in place are due to end at the end of this year. The Government is very anxious to support the post office network. I expect confirmation of a Government initiative with a view to safeguarding as many post offices as possible around the country very shortly.

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