Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader organise a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, on the future of the post office network? On the one hand, we hear from the Minister that it is not Government policy to close post offices. On the other hand, however, An Post is taking every opportunity to close individual offices. A case in point is Cappataggle post office in County Galway, which is scheduled to close on 31 December following the death of the postmistress, Mrs. Christina Dooley, earlier this year. Her family wishes to continue running the post office and providing the excellent service that has been offered to the community.

I tried to obtain reasons for the closure from An Post and details of the cost involved in keeping the post office open, but it is as difficult as getting details on the third secret of Fatima. I believe the savings to An Post will be minimal, given that a postmistress's income is transaction related. The local community has requested a deferral of the closure date to allow further discussions on the possibility of putting a strategic plan in place to grow the business. I appeal to An Post to reverse its decision not to grant that deferral. The post office at the heart of the community in Cappataggle has the support of young and old alike. In the run-up to Christmas, I appeal for extra time to be afforded to community leaders there to work with An Post to see if it is viable to continue operating the post office in Cappataggle. I firmly believe it is viable.