Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Mansergh for sharing time with me. Why has the Government subvented An Post to the tune of €12.5 million over the past two years when, as I understand, it is being used to pressurise and coerce postmasters and postmistresses to retire early from their post offices or continue on an agency basis? The criteria for obtaining this agency status are to sell stamps or pay pensions and open a minimum of one day a week. This will not ensure a continuing service in rural Ireland. Instead, it will be the death knell. Will the Minister intervene with An Post to ensure the money is spent more wisely, for example, in the promotion of rural post offices?