Vol. 409 No. 9
25 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline the up-to-date position regarding his proposal to regard 50 post offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not proposed the regarding of any post offices. As the House is already aware, An Post have, as part of their recovery measures, proposed the regarding of some 50 of the company's own 95 post offices.
In response to concern expressed at local level about this proposal, An Post have deferred implementation of the proposal until full consultation has taken place with local interests from the towns involved and considered how their concerns may be accommodated within the company's requirement to become financially viable. I understand that An Post are already well advanced in their consultations with the local interests involved.
I should add that An Post have pointed out that this proposal would have no effect on the range and quality of either mails or counter services to customers.
