Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of Senator Dolan and I, I thank the Cathaoirleach for adding this matter to the agenda at short notice. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I know that the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, is not available. He has been in contact with our offices and will be following up.

Last Friday morning, a colleague of mine, Councillor Marty McDermott, rang me in deep shock. He asked me if I was aware that Roscommon town post office building is to be closed. I could not believe it. I started making inquiries and working on the issue. Regrettably, I found that An Post had reached a decision to close the building. I should make clear that there is no threat to the postal service. There is some confusion over that. This is about the closure of an iconic building that has been there for many years, dating back to the foundation of the State. It is a beautiful building in the square in Roscommon town. The Government has pumped millions into the town to improve it. As Senator Dolan will attest, there are beautiful arrangements in place, and a lot of money has been spent. The Government has spent €20 million on a new water treatment system around the town. All of it is welcome investment. Now, An Post is deciding to close this building.

Why is it so annoying to the people? I will tell Members why. As far as I can establish, this is the first county town in which An Post has decided to do this. It wants to sell off what is a beautiful iconic building and a social hub for people. We are utterly and totally opposed to it. With the councillors on Roscommon County Council and all of our Oireachtas people, we are asking An Post to call this off. It is not on and it is not acceptable. I have no difficulty with the post office business. My issue is not with the business. I have a difficulty with An Post, that is very much supported by the Government, doing something like this when very little is known about it. I will hand over to Senator Dolan, who will take up the story from there.