asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will takes steps to provide a post office at Dublin Airport to facilitate the many thousands of tourists who use the Airport every year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Airport Post Office Services.
14.
It has been decided to provide a post office at Dublin Airport when suitable accommodation becomes available which I expect will be in about two months time.
15.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether it has been decided to limit the post office facilities at Shannon Airport; and, if so, why this decision was made.
I have decided that, as from 1st November, 1967, the hours of operation of the Post Office at Shannon Airport should be restricted to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday in order to reduce substantially the heavy annual loss incurred on the operation of the Post Office.
I am satisfied that the demand for post office facilities at Shannon outside the new hours does not warrant the continuation of the existing service on a 24-hour basis and that the alternative facilities being made available will be adequate.
Could the Minister say what alternative facilities are in fact being made available?
Additional telephones have been installed, and stamp-vending machines; a suitable arrangement is being made with the airport shop for the purpose of enabling passengers to obtain change, including dollar exchange, and to make telephone calls: also, stamps can be purchased in the airport shop; telegrams can be sent by telephone and a record of such telegrams can be made available, if required.
Surely the Minister will agree that the provision of stamp-vending machines and coin-box telephones is not adequate for the needs of foreign visitors wishing to telephone, send cables or mail a letter to the United States? Does he realise as on and from 1st November next, a foreign visitor wishing to make a three-minute telephone call to the United States will have to insert 60 single shillings into a coin box? Is this the type of service we should be providing at Shannon?
We are doing all that is required, having regard to the fact that the pattern of flights at the airport has greatly changed since the 24-hour service was in operation. Night flights are now very rare.
Could the Minister say what provision has been made in the case of emergencies at Shannon for the handling of airmail and for sending cables? Will there be any facilities for the sending of cables in the case of emergencies? What about the handling of diverted airmail?
There are facilities for sending telegrams at the airport and there are facilities for all kinds of emergencies.
Could the Minister say what reduction in the operating loss will be made by curtailing the services? Can he say what number of workers will become redundant and what provision is being made for the re-employment of these redundant workers?
I have not got the information the Deputy requests, except for the loss, which was £18,000 in 1966-67.
Surely the Minister will agree that if there is an argument for curtailing the postal services at Shannon, there is an argument for curtailing all other types of services? This is a ridiculous decision.
On the contrary, it is a very wise and intelligent decision.