Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the ongoing campaign by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell in regard to An Post. I support the Senator's call for the Minister for Social Protection to appear before the Seanad to discuss her role in this regard.

We have a Minister who has responsibility for rural affairs, a concept which commenced at the time of setting up the Department that I fully supported. One really has to ask the following questions. Is it relevant? Is there any use in having such a Department and Minister if the holder of the office is not in a position to ensure that vital rural development services, such as the post office network, are not only fully retained but expanded? The development of this country is an issue that we have raised here before. Do we want balanced regional development? Do we simply want an ever-expanding Dublin at the cost of rural Ireland? The post office network must be retained and expanded as part of a functioning rural and provincial Ireland.