Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Approximately one month ago I highlighted the particular situation which I rise to highlight again today. There are many banks in Ireland other than IBRC. As IBRC is now to be dealt with by way of inquiry, I ask that Senators concentrate this afternoon on the bank of the people, namely, the post office. I ask that the Leader invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to the House for a debate on social welfare transactions, the new forms for which should be withdrawn as they blatantly recommend payment of social welfare payments through the banks, thereby discouraging use of the post office yet again. Is the Labour Party and Fine Gael way of doing business one of capitulating to the banks? The Irish Postmasters' Union has said that all post offices will be under threat of closure if social protection transactions are taken from them. How dare the Departments of Social Protection and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources recommend that bank accounts be the best option. I would have thought that the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, would be arguing at the Cabinet table in favour of post offices rather than for capitulation to the banks. We have no faith in the banks. I have no faith in them but I do have faith in Irish post offices and do not like to see them downgraded.The post office is the greatest savings and savings certificate bank in the country. It offers the best rates. It does not rob customers and then ask them to pay back the robbers, as the banks did. If we do not retain post offices and their facilities as a major part of Irish society, we will have learned nothing. We have flittered away our sugar company, the lotto, our national resources, many of our national products, buildings and money to liars and thieves in valueless banks.