David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is an important debate taking place in the Dáil on the future of the post office network in the State and I understand a protest will take place outside Leinster House today organised by the Irish Postmasters' Union and the Communication Workers' Union. Over the past week a number of Senators called for a debate on this issue and I echo those calls today. The Grant Thornton report, which is a good report that sets out clearly the challenges faced by the post office sector, also makes a number of recommendations, many of which my party would support. It is important that we hold a debate in this House as well as the debate in the Dáil, because I am sure Members, especially those of us who live in rural areas, have much to contribute on the importance of post offices. The Leader will be aware that in his constituency there were post office closures in a number of villages. This has a big impact on those small villages and towns where the post office is a core social gathering point for the community. When the post office is lost, it has a big impact on those who live in rural areas, including older people.

The big issue seems to be the contract with the Department of Social Protection for social welfare payments. It is important that the contract be protected and in my view, An Post should get the contract for it. Equally, the community welfare officers and those who work in the social welfare offices should not be directing clients to have their payments put through the bank rather than the post office. That is a source of contention as well with the trade unions that are involved. I support the protest which is taking place today, but I ask that we have a proper debate in this House about the future of An Post and the postal service over the next number of weeks.