Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)

I will be very brief. I am just coming from the sports committee, so I am slightly out of breath. On a serious note, I wanted to speak on this really important debate. I welcome the Minister of State here. Post offices are the lifeblood of the community. I see that in Tipperary on a daily basis. I see the work they do and the support that they give to their communities. We have a very good post office in Cahir town. The postmaster there, Henry, does incredible work.

Postmasters really appreciate what was done in the budget. I have spoken to a number of people who work in the sector and the real message they have is that the funding must be delivered as quickly as possible, ideally in January 2026. They have had a difficult number of years, but what has been done in the budget is pretty significant, and if we can deliver on that as quickly as possible, it will hugely benefit them. It has a knock-on effect on the whole area as well. I welcome the debate and thank the Minister of State for being here. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak, having run up from the committee.