Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I draw the Leader's attention to an advertisement in newspapers in recent weeks advising people not to mail items to Tuam or Drogheda because of the postal dispute in those towns. It is appalling that such an advertisement should be placed in newspapers. In the case of Tuam, there is a question of inadequate accommodation and now there is a huge backlog of mail. Thousands of items have to be dealt with, which is affecting not just business and commerce, but people have missed hospital appointments because of the dispute. The Minister should investigate this matter and if necessary a third party should become involved to resolve the dispute, which is causing considerable hardship to those in the area. The Leader, as a former Minister with responsibility for this area, might have some ideas as to how to help. The bottom line is that people should not take the advice of An Post and stop sending letters. It is discrimination if people cannot use the service in Tuam and Drogheda. People should continue to use the service and I hope we can get resolution of the dispute as quickly as possible.