Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of the communications Bill was raised by Senator Mark Daly. I am a postmaster myself so I know the effect this Bill not being passed is having on the nearly 900 post offices around the country.It would give legislative status to the proposal put forward last June with regard to subsidising the network. Unfortunately, while we were waiting for EU approval of that Bill, all of those offices have received significant reductions in their wages in January. If the legislative process in the Seanad goes over a certain number of weeks, it is going to run into the same issues again in February. There are a lot of post offices, particularly in the city where rental costs are significantly high, which are finding it extremely difficult to meet these targets. I ask the Leader if the timeframe might be set out. I think the next Stage is due to take place on 14 February. Would it be possible to condense that process and have the Committee and Final Stages in one day, or whatever days it can be fit into the schedule, to finish as early as possible in February in order that the same situation does not occur again?