Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not know if we have had a debate in recent times on post offices around the country. Post offices are facing serious threats. It is reported that An Post sent a letter to postmasters - I do not think it was published - indicating that the distribution of dole payments through post offices was likely to be discontinued. This would mean a cut in income of between €4,000 and €30,000, depending on the post office involved. On the basis of that danger, I understand that as many as 500 post offices could close. I do not suggest there is an easy answer to this because it just does not make sense. People are not sending as many letters by post as they did in the past and the figures in this regard are unlikely to improve. An Post is also planning to develop 20 depots for parcel deliveries. These changes pose a threat to the traditional post office. If we want to maintain a network of post offices around the country, just as we want to maintain Garda stations and other services, we will probably have to find other work for post offices to do and they will have to find other work for themselves. There are examples in other countries of the work they can do and I believe we can do something to encourage new ideas by having a debate in the House at some point in the near future. It is strange for An Post to state people are not going to send letters or parcels as they did in the past without suggesting other functions for post offices in order to maintain them. It would be worthwhile to have a debate on the subject.

The debate last night on Seanad reform was very useful. We did not get nearly as much done as we thought we might, but at least we covered a range of areas that had not previously been covered. The Taoiseach has announced that he will set up a working group to investigate reform of the Seanad. I hope it is established very soon. I am disappointed to hear that nobody from this House will be on the working group, but we should at least ensure we debate the issue and that we reform the Seanad.