Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue. I wish to advise him, and I am sure he will share the sentiments expressed for his fellow county man, that we congratulated Dylan Browne McConalogue - my apologies, it is McMonagle, but it was close enough - earlier today on his heroics in winning the title of Irish Champion Jockey. Another champion jockey held the title for six years but Dylan took it with 95 wins. More importantly, Dylan won an historic race in the Breeders' Cup last Saturday night for a national hunt trainer, which was unprecedented. He will now go to Japan on a contract until the Irish season resumes. It is a remarkable success story. One of the headlines in a US newspaper at the weekend was "From Dingle to Del Mar" because Dylan started his career in pony racing, which is very much a community sport that gets very little, if in fact minimal, State funding. I know that people in Donegal are very proud of Dylan. I hope that, in the fullness of time and when he returns from Tokyo, we may be able to invite Dylan and his family to Leinster House to recognise his phenomenal achievement for what is probably a racing backwater, with which I am sure the Minister of State will agree.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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Put him on a stamp.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, put him on a stamp. The Minister of State has ten minutes to make an opening statement on the important issue of the post office network.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Acting Chair and all in the Seanad for the opportunity to discuss how we can continue to support what is a really important and valuable resource for every community across the country, that is, the post office network and the postal service, which is organised by and under the administration of An Post.

At the outset, I join with the Acting Chair and recognise the commendations by Senators of Dylan Browne McMonagle. As the name of McConalogue is known even less than McMonagle-----

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State looks like a jockey but is just too tall.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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-----I often get called McMonagle or McGonagle but it is probably the first time that Dylan has been named McConalogue. I wish him the very best. We are very proud of him in Donegal. It is a wonderful achievement. I congratulate him and look forward to recognising his achievements at an appropriate time. I also wish him well as he heads to Japan.

I know from previous engagements the importance that all Seanadóirí place on the post office network nationally. That is reflected here again today by providing this opportunity for statements. I am sitting beside Senator Comyn and I see on the table in front of her a letter with a stamp on it, which is good to see. That is just happenstance and not deliberate, I believe. I look forward to hearing the comments and contributions from the floor.

As we will all agree, the post office and the postal network combined play a really important role in all of our lives. They play an important social role by providing invaluable support for some of the most vulnerable in society through the provision of social welfare payments, free postage to care homes and many other valuable services as well. They play an integral economic role in facilitating delivery from SMEs and other businesses to consumers, and they are now playing a role in the circular economy, with the growth of consumer-to-consumer services such as Vinted. However, the Government also recognises that there are challenges for both the network and postal services. Uncertainty regarding global trade is one of these challenges. As the network facilitates trade, I am aware that postmasters are likely feeling the effects of this uncertainty. I would like to specifically recognise An Post's work to date in respect of continuing the flow of post to the US despite the recent uncertainty due to the change in its customs rules.

The network, undoubtedly, is also impacted by the continuing decline in mail volumes and the growth of digitalisation. It is not only nationally, but internationally, that mail and post office businesses are experiencing long-term structural challenges.Additionally, issues relating to the cost of living and the effects of inflation and higher energy costs have been felt by many small and medium enterprises, including the postmasters. Global events continue to cause challenges in this regard. The structural changes in the postal sector are being considered at European level. The European Commission is expected to bring forward proposals for a new EU delivery Act next year during our EU Presidency. This initiative is aimed at modernising the EU regulatory framework for postal and parcel delivery services. Currently, a call for evidence in respect of this proposal is open. I encourage all stakeholders to contribute to that.

The Government is currently providing An Post with €10 million funding per annum over a three-year fixed term from 2023 to the end of this year. An Post disburses this funding across the post office network, with all contracted post offices benefiting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the network. This is seen in the over €28 million claimed by An Post for the period 2023 to date to support our post office network. That funding was put in place under the previous Government. However, as we know, the Government strongly recognises the need to support Ireland's post office network. Under the programme for the Government, it outlined a commitment to provide the nationwide network of post offices with the funding to ensure sustainability and enhance the value post offices bring to local communities. The last time I engaged with Senators, all Members were strong and forthright in advocating for that. I was delighted to be able to secure continued funding in line with that commitment to continue to provide our post office network. In the most recent budget and in the national development plan, I secured €50 million per annum to support our post office network, subject to agreement with An Post and postmasters and further Government approval.

A mandate for this enhanced funding will now be brought to the Government for that approval. My officials are progressing the next steps, as required, such as ensuring proper consideration of state aid provisions and an adequate legal basis for the payment of the funding. However, we should be aware that Government support, despite the significant increase in funding, does not guarantee that all post offices will stay open, but it is our objective to support them in every way possible to ensure as many as possible stay open. Closures can happen at times for a variety of reasons, such as retirement or for personal reasons. The intention is to avoid, where possible, such decisions being necessary or being taken as a result of economic hardship or challenges.

Senators raised the issue that sometimes when a post office closes or relocates, it can leave a heritage building without a use in the heart of a community. The Government has been conscious of this. The programme for Government recognises it as well and commits to the Government partnering with An Post and local communities to identify and preserve heritage post office buildings, of which there are many across the country, which reflects the fact that post offices have always been at the heart of communities. We want that to continue to respect the historical value of any buildings that are no longer being used for post offices by exploring potential new uses. Working with the Department of housing and local government we want to ensure there is strong engagement to make sure they stay within the community.

It is also important to remember that this support to the post office network is to protect and nurture it as a sustainable and commercially viable network. It also aims to ensure access to important services across the country for our citizens. Any supports must, therefore, be utilised to allow time and space to enable new commercial initiatives and services to be developed. An Post fully understands the Government's position. A sustainable, viable, customer-focused post office network is a key strategic priority for the company.

An Post has a statutory responsibility for the post office network. It must actively explore opportunities to develop new and enhanced product lines. We want to have a sustainable post office network that is available to all citizens, both urban and rural, now and in the medium and long term because that network is a core strength of An Post. The continued the development of the network and services is a vital component of its sustainability. Part of the strength of the post office brand, and one of its key selling points, is that it reaches into every community and all parts of the country. Equally, we must recognise that post offices are commercial entities. As with any business, they need to continue to develop relevant commercial strategies to attract customers, drive footfall and generate growth.

Supported by the Government, An Post must ensure its commercial viability and the continued fulfilment of its mandate to provide a mail delivery service and a viable post office network. There can sometimes be a focus on the provision of particular services across the network or supports being put in place, but no one measure in isolation is going to provide for the long-term sustainability of the network. All stakeholders will need to continue to work together. The public must also be encouraged to use the services available through the post office, support their local post office and help ensure its future.

I encourage my Government colleagues to consider the impact of digitalisation and substitution of services on the network because it is important that, as technology develops, we explore new and innovative ways of working. However, it is also important that we ensure that those who, for whatever reason, do not want to access Government services online can still access such services in person. My officials and I are ready and available to work with other Departments in respect of delivery of services through the network.

Postmasters have a crucial role to play in the future of the network. I recognise and thank all postal workers for their hard work, dedication, input and co-operation to date and for their role in enabling the ongoing transformation of the network. Their support is needed. As An Post seeks to win new or bolster existing business to explore opportunities for development and to see new or enhanced product lines come in place, it is key that it works in collaboration with postmasters to maximise every potential opportunity. I welcome the ongoing discussion between all parties, An Post, postmasters and the Government to ensure the post office maintains a special role in our society. In that vein, I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senators for the opportunity to discuss the network and how we can ensure it stays at the heart of Irish life going forward and that it continues to provide the essential service that it has always done, on a consistent basis and in all communities, over the years ahead.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas mór leis an Aire. Rachaimid ar aghaidh go dtí an Rialtas. Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Comyn.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I will share my time with Senator O'Loughlin.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister of State correctly noticed, I have a handwritten letter with a stamp on it in my hand. I get thousands of emails per month, like everyone else in the Chamber. It is quite special to still be able to get a handwritten letter in a handwritten envelope with a stamp on it. What we need to protect and preserve is the ability and choice for somebody who wants to do that because, as has been said time and again, our post offices are the beating heart of the community. While that may be a little bit of a cliché, to take away that centre and hub is to take away a huge amount from communities. There is an onus on us to protect post offices.

I appreciate the Government support for infrastructure - it is in our programme for Government - and the investment provided in budget 2026. This is all very welcome. However, we are living in a bewildering world of artificial intelligence, AI, social media and everything going online. We have to look back to what happened during Covid when continuing to use services online was seen as a bonus. For instance, a great legacy of Covid was that we can now attend funerals online. With everything else that has happened - shopping, working and even dating online - what happens is that it isolates the rest of the community. We have a vulnerable and older community who still like to enter a post office to do their business. That is what we need to protect. Let us look at what is happening with social media and the dissemination, misinformation and disinformation. It is not a place to be safe at the moment. It may seem retrograde but we need to return to a scenario where people can attend and know they are carrying out their business in a safe and secure manner.

As I said, the investment has been welcome. The Minister of State engaged with the postmasters prior to the budget, as did I.They are very grateful for the amount of investment that is happening. Having spoken to some independent postmasters in my area of south Louth and east Meath, I am aware that there is still concern that this will only plug a hole and will not be the long-term solution they feel is required.

Many feel they have not received a pay increase. Their pay has been frozen since 2008. They have received no further payment for the likes of social security benefit payments since 2008, and that is not sustainable. Everything else, including the cost of living and staff pay, has increased. If we want to protect what we have, we have to be able to look after our postmasters and nurture it as a viable career going forward.

There may be two post offices in an area and one may be forced to close because it may only be used by certain number of people. That seems very unfair. We need to encourage the use of these services. I agree that it is very useful for people to be able to pay their TV licence or get their pension paid online, but that is simply not for everybody. Credit unions are amalgamating and taking away vital services from communities. We need to nurture our post offices. It is probably incumbent on An Post to deal with this. A postmaster told me earlier that An Post must step up in respect of its constitutional and corporate responsibility to provide postmasters with a secure future and to make sure they receive investment in order that they can move forward.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is very welcome. He takes this matter very seriously and is committed to supporting our post offices in all of the communities that they serve. I understand there are 960 post offices. When I was a child growing up in Rathangan, the highlight of any day or week was the possibility of calling in to Mollie Forde, our local postmistress. She knew every single child and adult. She knew if somebody was doing exams. When someone turned 18, she would put them on the electoral register. She was a treasure in a small town. That has carried through to her son-in-law Alan, and to Shane and Connie. The untold small gestures and kindnesses that they provide for their customers is huge. That is also the case in Newbridge, where it is always a pleasure to go into Brendan, Marie, Frances and John in a busy and more urban post office. They are always there to serve the community and people.

Post offices, together with local libraries, are the most important buildings and institutions, for want of a better word, in local communities. People can gather and carry out their business. It also provides an opportunity to socialise which many may not have elsewhere. As my colleague, Senator Comyn said, during Covid when people could not mix or socialise post offices came into their own and gave of their time and provided support to so many who needed it. There are 17 post offices in south Kildare. Those who operate them provide the same dedication as those I have mentioned.

One of the issues, as the Minister of State mentioned, is that Irish post offices are typically independent businesses. Not everybody is aware of that. They believe that postmasters receive a salary rather than being paid per transaction. That is particularly unfair in smaller communities where there are not as many transactions but post offices are providing a lifeline. I say that about urban areas as well as rural ones because not far from here two post offices closed last year. That is a retrograde step. Unless support is provided to post offices that will happen more frequently.

I am very appreciative of the fact that the Minister of State said he is open to working with other Departments in terms of the type of business that post offices can carry out. It is true that An Post has untapped potential in the context of doing more and making a significant additional contribution across many areas of public business and community life. Many older and younger people are not necessarily au fait with filling in forms on computers, etc. There is a ready-made business opportunity for those who work in the post office community. I urge the Minister of State and other Ministers to examine all of the different areas on a cross-departmental basis to help support post offices and continue to breathe life into all of our communities and encourage them to thrive and survive.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chomh maith. The communication engendered between post offices over the years has been fairly haphazard throughout history. It may come as a surprise to people in the Chamber to know that we have had a formalised post office system in Ireland for the best part of 400 years. The notorious pervader of the wicked harrowing of the Irish population, the infamous Oliver Cromwell, in 1656 enacted a piece of legislation which, I understand, was an Act for the regularisation of the postal services of England, Scotland and Ireland. Some three years later, after the restoration, King Charles II enacted an Act of Parliament which set up the postal services. That, of course, gave rise to the Royal Mail, which we all know about and have heard about in the context of the intricacies of recent fraud cases.

The Irish post office service had some very famous employees. In particular, two writers spring to mind, one of whom was born fairly close to where the Minister of State is from in Fermanagh, Shan Fadh Bullock. Probably far more famous was Anthony Trollope, who spent about 20 years in Ireland developing the postal services and its co-operation with the rail service. If the Chair will permit me a little aside, he may remember John Major, a former UK Prime Minister, who was often referred to as the grey man of British politics. He cracked me up one night when I saw on television someone ask him in an informal interview how he relaxed from his busy life of politics. He said nothing delighted him more at the end of a busy political day than to go to bed with a good Trollope. Senator Cummins thinks that may be a bit naughty, but I could not resist.

That is the history of our postal services. The question before us today in the Chamber is whither now? Where do we go from here? I want to quote some lines. A Grant Thornton report commissioned by the Irish postmasters states:

A well-supported post office network is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in Ireland's communities, economy and future prosperity ... The Post Office Network is a cornerstone of Irish communities, providing essential services that support individuals, businesses and the broader economy. As a trusted public service, it plays a vital role in financial inclusion, rural connectivity, social welfare distribution, and local economic sustainability.

The report goes on to state: "However, without ongoing Government investment, the future viability of the network is at serious risk." I accept the bona fides of the Minister of State when he speaks about the €15 million that has been allocated to continue the upkeep of the network.As Senator Comyn said, though, it is really just plugging the hole. If I want to make sure that exposure is given to one of the other Government parties, Deputy Micheál Carrigy, who is a fellow county man of the Acting Chair and myself, mentioned in one of his press statements that the budget marked a turning point and that we were now responding to the stark reality that the current financial model was unsustainable. The €15 million allocation represents a €5 million increase on previous years and directly addresses the recommendation of the Grant Thornton report. Deputy Carrigy said that it was not just about keeping doors open but about reimagining the role of the post office in modern Ireland. He went on to say that, from financial inclusion to delivering public services, post offices were uniquely positioned to do more and should be given the tools to thrive. On that subject, what models or exemplars can we get from around the world? As far as I can see, the secret might lie in the business of developing a community banking sector with the post offices. Some would say that the credit unions are ideally placed to do this. As the Acting Chair will know from his knowledge of credit unions in the midlands, the big problem with the credit unions is that they are all fragmented to one degree or other and they do not work off the same platform. In contrast, An Post does work off the same digital platform and is ideally suited to integrate with Government payments and e-payments. That is one of the avenues for possible success that the post offices have. On the other side of the world, New Zealand has a similar population to Ireland. Some years ago, NZ Post set up Kiwibank. This had remarkable success in community banking, which meant giving out house loans at low interest rates and loans to SMEs at low preferable interest rates. This was divested by NZ Post and is now a complete government entity. Last year, Kiwibank turned a profit in excess of the equivalent of €200 million. Maybe that is the sort of imaginative thinking we need.

In the world of diminishing postal deliveries and the old model, I cannot help but conclude that the old model is doomed and if we want to keep this entity that is at the nexus of community services all around the country, we have to start thinking outside the box. Maybe community banking is the way forward. The two pillar banks that remain, namely, AIB and Bank of Ireland, are responsible for about 90% of the banking in Ireland. That is a huge monopoly and we can see towns with substantial populations and banks closing down. We in the Houses of the Oireachtas should be weighing in with our support of the Irish Postmasters' Union and realising the vital nature of the work that is done by the post offices. We have to begin to not just rely on propping up the service with a few bob here and there. We have to reimagine the postal services, the post office entity and the business model that is going to be developed and let us be imaginative about it. It cannot be beyond the wit of man to come up with something that suits the Irish economic model and to guarantee the future of the post office well into the future.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Thank you very much, Senator. I was delighted to hear you mention John Major, the erstwhile grey man of British politics, but a man of impeccable taste, because he visited County Longford a number of years ago. I am sure you can agree with his sentiment to visit that county. Tá na Seanadóiri Evanne Ni Chuillin agus Gareth Scahill ó Fhine Gael ag roinnt a gcuid ama. An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe?

Joe Conway (Independent)
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Aontaithe.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)
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The Irish Postmasters' Union is certainly getting a great airing in the Seanad today, and rightly so. The union told us in its pre-budget submission last September that ine out of ten people said that their post office was essential. It went on to say that it was not just public sentiment, but a call to action. Communities want their post offices and they want the Government to act now to save them.

I welcome the opportunity this afternoon to discuss our post office network once again. We had a very engaging and informative discussion in relation to postmasters and An Post's network before the summer recess. The main topic of debate at the time was the urgent call for investment and an increase of annual funding from €10 million to €15 million per year. It was therefore encouraging to see in last month's budget that the call to action referenced by the Irish Postmasters' Union was heard and acted upon. The annual capital support for the post office network has been increased from €10 million to €15 million in 2026. This funding is in a direct response to the Grant Thornton report mentioned by Senator Conway, which highlighted the risk of up to one third of rural post offices closing if it did not receive €15 million in annual investment. The report from Grant Thornton, commissioned by the Irish Postmasters' Union, stated that since 2020, operating costs had risen sharply during the cost-of-living crisis and inflation of 15%. We know that our post offices are in a unique position whereby they cannot respond in the same way as other businesses to cost pressures due to contractual arrangements with An Post and that they are also precluded from accessing business supports available to other small enterprises due to these relationships. The good news, however, is that with the additional funding, 70% of postmasters say that their post offices can remain viable. The multi-annual funding of €10 million was due to expire at the end of this year, and so the commitment to an increase to €15 million per year for the next five years was both crucial and timely. However, as Senator Comyn has said, we need to ensure that the postmasters and their investments and opportunities are kept to the forefront of any agenda within the Department.

Another telling part of the postmasters' pre-budget submission spoke about how post offices were the last in-person link between the State and citizens and that they were trusted anchors in communities right across the country, both in rural and urban settings. At an Oireachtas joint committee hearing this year, the Irish Postmaster' Union president, Ms. Sean Martin, said the post offices could be the front door for all Government services. He noted that if this did not happen, the front door would close and post offices would close one by one. As well as the funding injection, another way in which we can further support our post office network is by expanding the offering of State services through our network of post offices. We already rely on our post office network for the administration of public services and welfare payments. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to expand welfare services through our post office network. Our postmasters have already shown that they can administer services on behalf of the State and at the Oireachtas joint committee earlier this year the union representatives stated that its members were willing, able and eager to play an even bigger role in the delivery of Government services. A recent survey by the union found that 89% of people wanted more Government services to be delivered through our post office network. It is a stated commitment as well by the Government to deliver on this. It is encouraging to hear the Department plans to work with postmasters on digitalisation and other innovations. Senator Conway has mentioned community banking as another avenue that perhaps could be explored.

I also want to take this opportunity to put to bed any fears about the future of the GPO. Concerns have been expressed both in this House and publicly by way of online petitions and postal campaigns about the GPO and its need to be saved. I am not sure what it needs to be saved from. There is still a working post office at the GPO. Recent figures confirm just under 300 staff are currently working within the offices and postal hall. An Post is at an advanced stage in the process of moving staff to the new purpose-built headquarters. Ownership of the GPO is currently vested in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Office of Public Works, OPW, has established a steering group with the Department, which is currently focused on the legal transfer of the building to the OPW. The Department has been engaging bilaterally with the OPW on the cultural element of any proposed new works at the GPO and has recently joined this steering group. As part of the transfer discussions, the Department is liaising with An Post regarding its subsidiary company's interest in both the arcade properties and the museum of the GPO. The overall plans are progressing in the context of the report of the Dublin city task force, which outlines the redevelopment of the GPO as a cornerstone of proposed improvements to Dublin city centre. The OPW will generate a business plan for the GPO and to date that detail is not ready, but there is no danger to save the GPO from, be that from corporate enterprise or otherwise. As I understand it, the building can house up to 800 civil servants, so options such as moving a Government Department to the site may be discussed or, as was mentioned previously by the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, perhaps a State body like RTÉ could move back there. In any event, the GPO will remain in State ownership. There is a post office and a museum there and a business plan is being produced by the OPW in respect of the transfer of responsibility.It is important to reaffirm the position that the GPO is not and never was in need of saving. It has been operating as offices, retail and a commercial facility for more than a century and that part of the offering within the historic building will remain. As stated by Senator Fitzpatrick in this House on 8 July 2025, the GPO is not under threat. It is in State ownership and will remain in State ownership.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I echo the sentiments of the previous speakers and thank the Minister and Minister of State for listening to the numerous contributions in this House earlier this year calling for additional support for the post office network. I thank the Minister of State for taking that on board because, as previous speakers have mentioned, we are not just talking about a service. We are talking about an institution in rural Ireland. We are talking about the cornerstone and flagstone of rural communities. It is great to hear that the long-term future of the post office and the post office network in rural Ireland has been protected from 1 January with the additional allocation.

I compliment Senator Joe Conway on acknowledging Deputy Carrigy's statement. Thank God, he did not mention the lines I was going to use from the same statement. Deputy Carrigy said that the funding will help secure the future of a 933-strong network, including 880 branches operated by independent postmasters. It is also worth acknowledging that these post offices are small businesses and employ over 1,400 people nationwide so their contribution to our local communities cannot be lost out on either.

Senator Ní Chuilinn spoke about some of the statistics. When we spoke earlier this year, we heard about findings from a Red C poll. It revealed that 91% of respondents agreed that the post office remained crucial in today's digital world, while 78% stated that their local post offices offered valuable services that cannot easily be found elsewhere. We did not have to shout too loud to get the message out there about the importance of this rural network. I spoke earlier today about older people and addressing loneliness, isolation and mental health. We can never forget the position of the post office network in addressing that. Yesterday, I had a tour group of 46 people from Drum in south Roscommon in the House. They asked after a postman named Danny Burke from Castlerea who is in his late 80s. The people from Drum were still asking about him because of his impact on them when he served them and their community. We cannot forget that.

People do not want to see old post office buildings closing down and they are fighting such closures. The post office network is not just bricks and mortar. It is a living institution that has and always will have a place in all of our communities because of the support it has received. Yesterday's edition of the Roscommon Herald recognised Paul Kelly, a new postmaster who is moving the post office from the old premises to Kelly's SuperValu in Boyle. This new premises will open in February 2026. The support of the Minister of State in getting access to funding has enabled that to happen. I thank him for that.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Colm O'Brien from Tallaght. A frisson of excitement swept the House today when we heard he was coming in. Seemingly, he scored 55 in a game of golf yesterday. Everybody here claims scores like that but I do not believe most people believe it. I congratulate Colm on his achievement. He is a guest of Senator Andrews and I hope he enjoys his day in this every important and historic House.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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It has to be said that Colm's score yesterday is disputed.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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It was over nine holes.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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It is on the record of the House now.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I am not making any allegations. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I previously raised the issue of Rathmines post office being sold off, as well as the closure of the post offices in Baggot Street, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Kevin Street in recent years. Over the past decade in south Dublin city, a string of post offices have been closed, with no consideration for the effect on local residents. This is having a devastating impact on communities that rely on them.

The record of this Government and its predecessor has been absymal. They have overseen the slow death of our postal network, as has been documented by Government Senators here replacing what are effective community centres with profit-seeking commercial ventures or nothing at all. Without greater investment and a new model for service delivery, post offices will continue to shut down one by one. The post office in Rathmines is moving to a Centra close by. This is no criticism of the owner of Centra. Were it not for him, there would be no postal services in Rathmines, so it is to his credit that he is undertaking to host the services there. The problem is that a business owner can decide that carrying a post office is no longer profitable and then choose to end postal services in that community, which is what has happened a number of times in my constituency. That is happening across the country. It is a symptom of our postal network being hollowed out.

The Rathmines post office could be the centre of Rathmines. It is a beautiful Art Deco building that has served the community since 1934. It is a building that cannot be replaced and if it is allowed to be sold off to a private developer, it would be a huge loss. It must and should be kept in the ownership of the State. When a post office transfers to a new location, the Government needs to ensure that the property remains open to the public by facilitating its transfer to the ownership of Dublin City Council. I know there have been discussions relating to that with local councillors, TDs and Senators. The post office building in Rathmines needs to be kept in public ownership. To sell it off would be an act of recklessness. I understand that parts of the building will continue to be used by An Post as a logistics centre to support operations in the area for up to ten years. This only increases the risk that the front-facing portion of the building will be left vacant and derelict, with few potential tenants likely to accept only having partial access to the property. That is a real concern. There are some proposals from local community activists about what might go into that space. It should be a central community hub for Rathmines. It could be the heart of cultural or community activities. We need to see ambitious, forward-thinking action taken by the State to ensure that this property remains in public and community use and that the long-term good of Rathmines is not left to chance or the whims of the market.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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My family is very much connected to the post office network. My grandfather - my mother's father - served as a postman virtually all his working life delivering post in north-west Cork. He speaks fondly of his time there. I remember the pride of place his certificate of recognition of long service held in my grandparents' home. I know he certainly left a very strong mark on his local community, serving as its local postman.

I acknowledge the investment of €15 million per year committed to the post office network by the Government and how important and vital that contribution is. I acknowledge the work of Deputy Carrigy in highlighting this issue over the past number of years given his background as a local postmaster. I also want to call out the contribution from Sinn Féin. We heard the Senator speak for a considerable length of time but never acknowledge the fact that the €15 million, which was requested and successfully lobbied for by the Irish Postmasters' Union, has been provided by the Government for the post office network. It is important that when the Government invests money like that at the request of the local postmasters, it is acknowledged. It is disappointing that Sinn Féin could not bring themselves to do that today, having called for this funding to be made available in a previous debate we had in this Chamber.

I recognise the fact that we have 933 separate branches of An Post. It is important that when we reflect on where the post office network is going, it is not too long ago that the idea of somebody purchasing something online and getting it delivered to their door was alien to everybody across the country, but society is changing and the times are changing, and the post office network will change with them. What will not change is the fact that it is rooted in the local communities and that local people right across the country feel very connected to the post office network and to the postmen and postwomen who make it up.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Thank you very much, Senator Byrne. We have just one more speaker offering. Before I bring in Senator Martin Conway, I might just make some observations myself. The €15 million for the post office network was a huge part of the budget and was very much a key plank in our programme for Government. It underpins the absolute commitment of this Government and previous incarnations of it to the post office network and rural Ireland generally.

It is also important that we pay tribute today to the management of An Post, in particular to David Redmond. It is fair to say that while he has been at the helm of this organisation, he has been a catalyst for great change and progress. We have seen An Post's earnings increase from €38 million to €55 million and its revenue breach the €1 billion mark for the first time. One of the more humorous highlights of the summer was when he had to interrupt his holiday in Italy in July to take umbrage with somebody leaking information that suggested An Post's future was not as rosy as might otherwise be thought. He dealt with that very well. I have been a great advocate and admirer of his work in An Post, as has the chairman of An Post, Kieran Mulvey, who I understand is undergoing a short hospital stay at the moment. We wish him very well.

I commend Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn on her stellar defence of the GPO building. It was indeed irksome and somewhat tiring to see a political party highlight that project earlier in the year. It was disappointing. The best way to see history is to see it continue in a living environment. I now invite our final contributor, Senator Martin Conway, to make his contribution.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The post office network is exceptionally important. It is important for many reasons, but one is because of the indelible link that people have with their post office. People remember going to post letters as children and the green box and all of that. That has evolved. Sadly, there are not too many young people now posting Christmas cards, letters or anything like that, but they are getting parcels. They are booking online and the postman is bringing the parcels, so to some extent it has evolved and postal deliveries are experiencing a bit of a renaissance.

We saw the sad news recently of a delivery company going out of business. An Post will be there to pick up the slack from that. In the next couple of months, on Black Friday, Christmas and so on, we are going to see a significant uptake. Some postmen have never been busier, which is great.

The physical building, as my colleague has already said, is not the main story about the post office. It is the places they are in and the people who man them that matter. Many reports have been done in recent years. Certainly over the last ten or 15 years, which is the length of time I have been a Member of the House, we have had reports from different organisations regarding the future of the post office network. One of the most timely interventions was from Deputy Carrigy, which did result in a significant financial investment on an annual basis to support the post office network.

In most cases, post offices are part of a business. The business is supporting the post office and the post office is supporting the business. That is wonderful. Where that is not possible, there are opportunities to create perhaps a digital hub or a tourist information point with audiovisual and touch screens. There is huge potential for post offices to be information points, tourism points, and points to access bus and rail transport information where people could perhaps have a booth for Internet access.

A simple thing that was recommended in one of the reports was that each postmaster would be made a peace commissioner. It was never implemented, although it was a simple thing. I contacted all the postmasters in the north and west Clare area, and I suggested that they become peace commissioners, and most of them did. It is a service that makes sense, as somebody is available to sign a document. A lot of peace commissioners are not available when they are needed, so it is an obvious and simple thing for postmasters to become not just peace commissioners but commissioners for oaths as well. This would be a practical thing to help support postmasters.

We must think outside the box, look at each post office on its own merits and identify what services are not in a community that could potentially be provided through a post office. A post office in one town might serve one purpose, while in another town that purpose may not be required and another purpose may be necessary. There are lots of ways, but of course the community bank is the obvious one. That is a big decision for the Government to create a community bank. We have a wonderful community bank in the credit union, but there is scope for looking at the creation of more financial options through the post office network. That could perhaps be done where there is not a credit union in a town. I know the post office network has a good relationship with the AIB, but there is so much more that could be done in that regard. We really need to have a situation where we close no more post offices, and in actual fact, where appropriate, we should look at opening post offices to provide a one-stop-shop service for a town, village or community, including in an urban area that perhaps does not have certain services or facilities. The future of the post office network in this country has never been better, once we are creative, imaginative and our thinking evolves.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Conway. He has brought us a few more speakers, so what he said was obviously very important.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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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.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Good man. You can have a rest now.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I am wrecked.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Are you sure you do not need a defibrillator?

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I am on the sports committee. I ran up the stairs.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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The nearest defibrillator is around the corner, just in case you do need it. We were expecting Senator Fitzpatrick but I do not think she is going to be here.

I welcome some very important visitors to the Gallery.They have certainly come a long way. We have visitors from Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the USA. I welcome Michael Cosgrove, Patricia Cosgrove, Susan Ritterbeck and Robert Ritterbeck. They are all very welcome to this very important House in the seat of Irish democracy. It is great to see you here. I know you are guests of Senator Blaney. I hope he is looking after you very well. I have no doubt he will bring you up to Donegal afterwards and I am sure you will have a great five or six days up there.

I call the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, to make his closing remarks.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank all who contributed to the debate, namely, Senators Comyn, Conway, Ní Chuilinn, Scahill, Andrews, Cathal Byrne, Flaherty and Ahearn.

As with the last day, I will take away the very strong support in the Seanad for the continued support of our post office network and the recognition from the Seanad of the strong commitment of the Government in the most recent budget in which we increased funding from €10 million per year to €15 million going forward. There was also strong recognition from all Senators of the importance of working with An Post and supporting it in the work it does as a commercial entity to develop new services and to be as innovative as possible in a rapidly changing environment.

Senator Ní Chuilinn mentioned the GPO. I reiterate that it the GPO will remain in State ownership. Work is continuing on the transfer of ownership and that work will be led out by the Office of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, and will involve a detailed and thorough consultation process with the public regarding its future. We want to ensure the GPO has an exciting future that respects its heritage and that it continues to play a very proud role, not just in O'Connell Street but also in our country going forward.

A point was raised by Senator Andrews around Rathmines post office, which is moving location. As I mentioned in my initial contribution, where there are heritage buildings that become vacated, the Government works with local authorities to make sure they can remain at the centre of the community. That is something we are doing in that particular instance.

The overall thrust of all contributions was the importance of maintaining our post office network. It is the objective of the Government to make sure we keep post offices open and avoid in every way we can, from a Government point of view, any closures. While we are seeing a small number of closures, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of post offices that have closed since we introduced the Government support three years ago. We have to work within state aid rules, but with that increased support we want to make sure we continue to see post offices operate across the country. As Minister of State, I will continue to liaise and work with An Post and the Irish Postmasters' Union to support their engagement over the next couple of months to put in place an agreement to run for a number of years, with the objective of having a five-year agreement. As part of that, we want to see how we can enable the post office network to provide as many services as possible and look at new opportunities for post offices to serve local communities. The postmasters are very open to that and want to do that because that is where they see themselves. They want to remain at the centre of servicing their community.

I thank all the Senators for the opportunity to be here and for their constructive contributions. I look forward to continuing to work with them in the time ahead in supporting our post office service and network. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir, agus a Chathaoirligh.