Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a challenge to small towns and villages right around the country from the closure over the last number of years of post offices. I draw the Government's attention to a development in France where the French postal service, La Poste, has arranged that postmen will not just deliver letters and parcels but will undertake to visit homes, particularly the homes of the elderly, to check gas meters and do other work not associated with the postal service traditionally. The concept is a very good one. A number of local authorities have undertaken to engage with the post office so that postmen have a chance to visit residents and check things like gas meters. I mention it because residents do not pay for the service and any cost is met by councils. We must be imaginative enough to think and challenge the various roles we have. There are certainly criticisms and towns and villages are losing some of the essential elements they have had in the past, including Garda stations and post offices.

We had a very good debate in the House a couple of months ago on defibrillators and their placement around the country in State and health buildings and elsewhere. The Minister accepted the concept but asked HIQA to undertake a health technology assessment. It did that two weeks ago and has said it wants responses back by the end of next week. It is a reminder for us to see what we can challenge and question to enhance the report. The use of defibrillators saves many lives. The figure as to how many provided by HIQA is questionable as it believes a limited number will be saved at a very heavy cost. That can be challenged, but it is not challenged as much as discussed. The whole country should have an input into the report, submissions on which have been requested by the end of next week. It is a very short period, but it is enough to make sure we get that in.

Senator Zappone referred to the work she has done identifying payments to State board members and chairmen. We introduced and discussed a Bill here, which was not accepted, which sought to provide that chairmen and members of State boards should not be paid. The vast majority of people would be willing to undertake work for State boards without pay, although they would obviously get expenses. That is something we should consider, particularly taking into account Senator Zappone's work which shows the varying levels of payments to chairmen and members of State boards.