Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Everyone can understand what he says about size, distribution and so on, but it does not take into consideration the importance of post offices, particularly in rural areas, in providing financial independence to many people and vulnerable groups, older people and people with disabilities, in terms of paying bills and accessing their own finances. In addition to that is the profound impact when a post office leaves a small town or village. It is often part of the heart of a community and when that is gone it is another rundown, derelict building and it means people have to travel to other urban centres to do things like their day-to-day business of paying bills.

An Post is one of the best run services in the country. My small family business relies on An Post. We post orders every day and, almost without fail, an Irish customer will receive their order the next day. It is an exemplary service. A reduction in the number of post offices in different areas is a massive mistake and will be reflected on as such in the future. When we have to reduce our travel, consider the environment and all of those things, to make crucial services more centralised is incredibly short-sighted. What protections are there for smaller areas to keep their post offices or reintroduce them in areas that have lost them?

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