Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

They have all played a very important role in a difficult portfolio. An Post has been impacted by new technology, particularly e-mail. An Post did not grab the opportunity. It should have had Internet cafés and Internet access in every post office. As far as I know it had an Internet company, which it sold. Golden opportunities were not taken up.

I heard An Post management use megaphone diplomacy on Joe Duffy's radio programme, which was despicable. Labour relations should be discussed at internal meetings and not on the airwaves. One side attacking the other does nothing for the service. A problem exists and I appeal to all concerned to sit down and resolve it.

Senator Mansergh referred to the British Government, which subsidises its service by more than £100 million. We may need to provide a subsidy at some stage. An Post will face a major challenge in 2009. At the moment letter delivery is reserved solely for An Post. While large organisations like the Royal Mail will enter the market in competition with An Post, they may not provide a full door-to-door service. They will cream off the lucrative business in the major cities. We get an excellent service in rural Ireland. Every morning at 9 o'clock, five days a week, letters are delivered to my house by an excellent postman, Micheál Mealy, who is prompt and provides a 100% service to the people in our area. We want this service to continue and, if necessary, we are prepared to pay more to keep the service.

I support An Post and its workers. I support maintaining the maximum number of post offices in rural areas as they are providing a major network and form a key source of assistance for the people of rural Ireland. When a village loses its post office it virtually loses its heart. This should be borne in mind when decisions are made.