Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

When I went to look at my own notes on this issue, I realised how long it had been since we began this debate, which is a pity. Perhaps if we engage in this exercise again, it would be much better if we could run it over a short period. It is much easier to address the issues raised today, but other issues were raised on the previous occasion some months ago.

One of the first issues raised was the multiplicity of agencies and, as someone who worked on the ground, I concur with anyone who is confused about where one goes to seek assistance. One of the reasons my Department was set up was to try to deal with this issue and I am taking steps to try and bring coherence and simplicity in that regard.

With regard to wider issues beyond post-offices, one must ask whether we are going to spend our lives protecting that which will inevitably change or develop rural Ireland in a new way. The post office network is important, but change must take place. There will be fewer post offices because a large number of them are turning over less that €4,000 or €5,000 per annum and could not be made viable under current circumstances.

When this issue first arose, I was one of the first to put my head above the parapet. At the time, I said that I accepted change but not decline. I accepted that there might be fewer post offices, but I want those that remain to have a huge number of extra services so that they will become modern focal centres for the community. In that connection, I welcome the arrangement that has been made with a certain bank in respect of banking services now being available in post offices. I only regret that this was not done ten or 15 years ago.