Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I strongly support the sentiments expressed by Senator Higgins in respect of An Post and the provision of postboxes and the discontinuation of traditional deliveries by postmen or postwomen. With regard to post offices closing, it has been my experience that two situations obtain: first, in many circumstances people did not support their local post offices by using them to obtain their pension payments, television licences or postage stamps and they did their business elsewhere; and, second, no one would take over the operation of post offices. With regard to the latter point, for example, when a post office approximately four miles from Mullingar closed down, I could not find anybody who would show an interest in taking it on. That is the other side of the coin.