James Bannon (Fine Gael)

If the green man is in operation there, they will be there for an hour. However, if it is not convenient and they are working, and the gardaí are occupied during normal working hours, they must go to Garda headquarters in Granard to get forms signed. The same is true of Ballymahon, and I am only referring to the local territory I know. People in Ballymahon must go to Athlone to get the forms signed.

It is often not convenient for people to sign, and the Minister should look at this in respect of rural areas because it is a major problem that needs to be addressed. It is not helped by the poor public transport in such areas. He should perhaps review matters so that any garda in one's county can sign. It should not be confined to a particular Garda station. I know of an elderly woman who, in the run-up to the last local elections, had to get a form signed because her name was not on the register. She went to a Garda station fairly close to her home. A garda there said he could not sign the form and that she would have to go to her local Garda station, which was 16 miles away. Perhaps this is something the Minister could look at.

Hands off the rural post offices. The Minister should give them a role in this area. It would be an extra service they could provide, and it would help to keep the rural post offices open. They are a vibrant part of the rural community and it is important that he does what he can. I see that Senator O'Rourke agrees with me on that. It is important they be kept open. We have called for more work for them, and this is an ideal opportunity, which will also give them a role in maintaining the register.