Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of post offices. They are a vital piece of community infrastructure. Postmasters are falling between two stools at the moment. They are suffering from cost-of-living increases. Many of them have missed out on the increased cost of business scheme, ICOB. As many as 50% cannot avail of it. They have funding out to 2025 but will have to negotiate a new seven-year contract afterwards. Currently, they cannot negotiate with the Government or the company to better their position. They are looking for a little certainty as regards Government funding. Can we give them that clarity? We are losing post offices constantly. I view them as vital community infrastructure and would like to see them preserved, particularly across rural Ireland.

See this speech in context