Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The motion set out by my party highlights the importance of the postal system to our nation and, lest there be any misconception, this side of the House supports and endorses the work done by employees of An Post in the distribution of mail and all of that company's ancillary activities. As Senator Hannigan said, post offices are closing at the rate of one every five days. The total number of closures is 399. We cannot hide from this fact and the vision of this motion is a post office system in Ireland that provides an excellent service and a social network for many around the country. Like Senator Ó Domhnaill, I would like to see An Post used in the reform of the electoral register as it is in a complete mess.

I will not take lectures on the spirit of this motion from the Deputy Leader of the House, Senator Boyle. I regret that he is not here to listen to me because the comments of Senator Boyle highlight the Government's abdication of responsibility for post office closures as shown in the different surveys that have taken place. I will debate with any person in this House on the post office system and its services. Does Senator Boyle seriously expect me to believe he supports the closure of post offices in Cork city, specifically my area of Bishopstown? I do not believe he does.

We are all agreed that an efficient postal service is necessary for our society. Senator Ó Domhnaill observed that our affinity with our local postman remains as strong today as it ever was. In my own area, we have probably the best postman in Ireland in Vincent O'Brien. Like Senator Ó Domhnaill's postman in Donegal, he is courteous, good humoured and has a word for everybody. He delivers the mail with a smile. For many elderly people, their exchanges with him may be one of the few social interactions they enjoy on a daily basis. He is a wonderful ambassador for An Post and it is a pity there are not more of his kind. Perhaps the Taoiseach could use him and others like him as models in his active citizenship programme.

The closure of post offices, whether in urban or rural areas, is a challenge that must be confronted. In Cork city, we have seen the closure of the post offices at Dennehy's Cross and in Bishopstown, which were amalgamated into one large office in Wilton shopping centre. One can travel large tracts of both rural and urban areas without encountering a post office. DeputyLucinda Creighton told me today that post offices have been closed in Rathgar and Terenure. Senators Norris and Quinn referred to competition and viability. However, the social value of postal workers and post offices must be highlighted. Senator Quinn referred to the hardship caused in communities when post offices are closed.

This debate is focussed on the integral nature of the post office system to all communities. Like Senator Brady, I pay tribute to Mr. Steven Fitzpatrick, who has an excellent letter published in today's edition of The Irish Times. We on this side of the House acknowledge that there have been improvements in the postal service. Investment has been made and the workers have agreed mechanisms, often at their own costs, to improve the service. An Post workers cannot be faulted by any stretch of the imagination. However, we are living in a changing Ireland. Do Government Members contend it is fine for 399 post offices, 50 of them in County Cork, to be closed? It is easy to envisage our main streets becoming like high streets in other countries, without a post office. Is that what we want?

I welcome the European Court of Justice's important decision on the usage of post offices. As Senator O'Reilly observed, the issuing of social welfare payments brings people into post offices. The European Parliament, meanwhile, has postponed a decision on competition and liberalisation. My colleagues and I would welcome a rural services Bill and I challenge Members opposite to bring forward that. We should have a debate on the challenges facing rural life, which might focus on the role of the post office as a vehicle to galvanise communities. Those of us who traversed highways and byways throughout the State before the Seanad election will testify that post offices in rural areas were a place to stop and ask for directions or to seek some other type of assistance. I recall a postmistress in County Clare — the Minister of State's constituency — who had a loaf of bread, a pint of milk and a copy of the Irish Independent on the counter. She was thrilled to meet us and to provide directions. The workers of An Post have helped to build and sustain communities.

We must modernise the provision of postal services. Other speakers referred to banking and Internet facilities. There is no reason that post offices cannot provide Internet café services that would attract locals and immigrants alike. Competition is inevitable in the coming years. How is An Post management preparing for the inevitable liberalisation of the market? Will there be job losses? It is important that we protect workers' rights.

In commending this motion, I emphasise the importance of improving the delivery of services and supporting workers. We must confront the challenges posed in the face of competition from new communications technologies and other sources of distribution of mail. I am disappointed by the comments made by Senator Boyle on the tone of the motion. It calls for a positive enhancement of the postal service.