Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht Committee continues hearings on sustaining viable rural communities

The Schedule for tomorrow’s meeting is:

Session A: 9 a.m. (i) Allied Irish Banks (ii) Bank of Ireland (iii) An Post (iv) Irish Postmasters' Union (v)  Irish League of Credit Unions
Session B: 11 a.m.  (i) Retail Excellence Ireland (ii) Convenience Stores and Newsagents

Cathaoirleach of the Committee Peadar Tóibín said: “Access to financial services, communications, postal and retail services are key elements in developing and sustaining viable and vibrant rural communities. The post office, bank and local shop are at the heart of rural towns, villages and parishes and the closure of one or all of these services can have a detrimental impact in terms of social inclusion, job creation and enterprise development. Tomorrow, we will meet with a range of organisations that provide services in banking, retail and postal to discuss the importance of these services to communities in rural Ireland and examine the ongoing challenges many in rural Ireland face accessing commercial services.”

This meeting will start at 2.15pm, tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 November 2016 in Committee Room 4, Leinster House. Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS/