Communications Committee to report to Minister on sustaining post office network

Donal Connell, CEO of An Post, outlined the increasing pressures on the company’s revenue stream, with just 17 percent of revenue now coming from mail. He pointed to the opportunity for post offices to provide enhanced banking services, particularly in areas where bank branches are being closed.

The IPU, which represents over 1,000 Postmasters across Ireland, called for a more proactive Government response to facilitate payment in post offices of a greater number of government services such as motor taxation and the household charges.

Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Our Committee widely commended An Post and the Postmasters for the services provided which are trusted by communities across the country.  With An Post engaged in providing a wide range of public and private sector services, the Committee today assessed a number of practical initiatives that will help sustain An Post’s valuable network.

\"The Post Office, with an unrivalled reach across the nation, has many competitive advantages in expanding its products and services. The Committee heard a compelling case for the post office to handle payments such as motor tax, the household charge, court services fines, water charges and Irish Rail ticket sales. The company has the capacity to provide such services at more convenience to the customer and generate savings for the government departments concerned.

“Members previously expressed concern at the lack of communication by the company with the communities they serve in relation to the closure of rural post offices. We welcome the steps by the company to provide greater public consultation following the change of tenure of the Postmaster. However, a number of Members are concerned that the three week consultation period might not be adequate to address the closure of a resource so critical to the fabric of local communities.”

\"The Committee, with the view that the future viability of the Post Office network was vital to both urban and rural communities, agreed to set up a Working Group to prepare a report for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on how best to sustain the network.\"

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