Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat. I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. The case from the perspective of sustainability for local businesses and the environment and for the protection, preservation and promotion of our national language is well made and completely understood by me and, indeed, by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The process is in play. An Post is going to try to do everything possible because it does not wish to see services ultimately move over to Abbeyside and Dungarvan. It wants to keep the post office service in An Rinn. It wants to keep it open for the local population and, more importantly, open as Gaeilge.

As I said, the original request for an intervention, unfortunately, is just not one we can agree to. I will, though, absolutely make the point quite clearly to the Minister and he will communicate with An Post in the appropriate manner about the importance of this issue and the very clear need for An Post to work with those interested, as well as putting this out to tender, to see what can be done not just from a commercial point of view but from a societal and community perspective. I think and hope this matter can be resolved even if it is at this late stage.

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