17 Jul 2012, 15:34
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications tomorrow meets with representatives from An Post and the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) to consider the future of the Post office network.
The engagement tomorrow builds on discussions by the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture earlier in the year with both An Post and the IPU. Members expressed concern at the lack of communication by the company with the communities they serve in relation to the closure of rural post offices during those meetings.
Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Our Committee has an important oversight role in considering the policy issues of public bodies. Tomorrow gives us an opportunity to explore how Post Offices can continue to play an enriching role in communities across Ireland.”
“The Committee will wish to assess any practical initiatives that can sustain An Post’s network. The increase in personal savings with An Post throughout the economic crisis is an indication of the levels of trust and goodwill that exists within the Irish public for the company. The IPU have argued previously for Post Offices, deeply rooted and trusted in the communities they serve, to play a central role in providing the 'unbanked' with a basic bank account.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 18 July at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis. Sinn Féin
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Colm Keaveney, Fine Gael
Seán Kenny, Labour
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan