Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I want to follow on the issue raised by Senator Finucane of post offices in small communities and rural areas. I would like to ascertain whether it will be possible to get the Minister to discuss with us how the situation will be dealt with. In Carrigaholt, west Clare, the post office closed some time ago. The salary for a new person to take up the job is so small that it is tantamount to closing the office. As Senator Finucane said, the life blood of many smaller communities depends on the post office, the Garda station and schools. In Carrigaholt there is a belief that An Post, by offering such a meagre salary for this position, intends to close the office, which would be devastating for the village. We could usefully debate this issue with the Minister.