Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which is important to many of us who represent rural areas, but we have to be real in our commentary. I acknowledge the Senator's desire not to be political. Some 30 post offices were closed in Donegal between 2002 and 2010 when Fianna Fáil was in office and two when Fine Gael was in office between 2011 and 2016. The politics of this do not interest anybody and I accept that the Senator has posited that himself. The reality is that human behaviour has changed and people have voted with their feet, choosing to go online in large numbers. We cannot continue to subsidise something that is not viable and have to work collectively towards its future viability. I have outlined efforts to do that. I will take on board the Senator's request. In defence of An Post, as a politician in Cork, I have found it to be extremely co-operative in engaging with us and with local communities. I will pass the Senator's comments regarding An Post on to the Minister.