I must now deal with a postponed division relating to amendment No. 3 to the motion regarding the future of the post office network on Tuesday, 18 September. On the question that the amendment to the motion be agreed to, a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 70(2), that division must be taken now.
Future of the Post Office Network: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members]
The following motion was moved by Deputy Brian Stanley on Tuesday, 18 September 2018:
That Dáil Éireann:
recognises that:
— the recent announced closure of 159 post offices across the State will have a devastating effect on many rural communities;
— post offices form a vital part of communities, and have suffered long-term neglect by successive Governments, with hundreds of closures since 2000;
— successive Governments have allowed the post office network to decline and have not allowed alternative services to be established and expanded;
— postmasters and postmistresses are entitled to accept retirement packages, however, the criteria used by An Post in such instances, to retain post offices and advertise a new contract, are flawed; and
— A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to protecting the postal network; and
calls on the Government to:
— prevent the closure of 159 post offices across the State by advertising new contracts, offering alternative services and allowing the potential for co-location of post offices;
— reinvigorate the network of post offices by extending the services which post offices provide, and by retaining existing services such as social welfare payments;
— implement proposals contained in the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group (Kerr Report) from 2016 which included post offices providing alternative services such as financial services and Government services before closing post offices; and
— commit to a new model of community banking through the post office network.
Debate resumed on amendment No. 3:
To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:
“recognises that:
— post offices provide crucial economic, administrative and social services to communities all around Ireland, especially to those in rural and isolated areas;
— technological and societal changes have presented significant challenges to the existing post office business model and, as a result, the post office network is in need of modernisation to build, maintain and protect a service that meets the needs of communities across the country, both rural and urban, for the medium- and long-term;
— the announcement by An Post of 159 voluntary closures stems from an agreement reached in May with the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) Executive, which was endorsed by 80 per cent of IPU members;
— in its negotiations with An Post, postmasters sought both the modernisation of the network and a voluntary redundancy package for those who wanted to leave the business;
— postmasters throughout the country have given dedicated service to rural and urban communities over many years and individual decisions to exit the business, for whatever reason, must be respected;
— the agreement between An Post and the IPU represents an important first step in reinvigorating our national post office network and in making it a viable, sustainable and modern network for the future;
— the Programme for a Partnership Government is committed to revitalising the An Post network through the introduction of new services; and
— it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the State, a policy which has been supported by successive Governments;
notes that:
— the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has taken significant action to ensure the future viability of An Post and secure the future of the post office network, and these actions have resulted in a restructuring of the company, expansion of services in the post office network and have protected thousands of jobs in the postal sector across the country;
— a Government investment of €30 million was secured for An Post in order to safeguard the 5 days a week mail delivery service (€15 million) and to protect post office counter services (€15 million);
— Government action has enabled An Post to stabilise its financial position, develop and begin to implement a strategic plan which has seen the company split into two distinct business units:
(i) An Post Mails and Parcels; and
(ii) An Post Retail;
— as part of its strategic plan, An Post announced a renewed vision for the post office network which centres on the availability of new services in a modernised, revitalised network, and critical to the implementation of this vision is the deal secured with the IPU;
— An Post is committed to investing €50 million in growing and modernising the post office network over the next few years, which is the equivalent of €45,000 per post office across the country;
— the Government continues to provide significant business to An Post through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection social welfare contract and National Treasury Management Agency business;
— An Post has confirmed that it has implemented 17.5 of the 19 recommendations of the Final Report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group (Kerr Report) which relate to An Post, and arising from the recommendations of the Kerr Report, Government funding of €80,000 has been allocated to roll out a pilot scheme called ‘Digital Assist’, which will see 10 post offices being equipped to help citizens with online Government interactions;
— the Government has also approved the establishment of an interdepartmental working group, which will report to Government by the end of the year, to identify options, including procurement frameworks, for delivering services to those citizens who do not wish to use, or are unable to use digital services;
— the Government has recently published its report entitled ‘Local Public Banking in Ireland, and on foot of this report, an independent evaluation of local public banking will be carried out alongside a stakeholder forum;
— in line with the terms of the agreement with the IPU, a voluntary redundancy package was advertised by An Post and 159 postmasters and postmistresses have elected to avail of this package, as in the majority of cases the business is simply no longer sustainable due to declining footfall;
— while the voluntary redundancy package will result in post office closures, An Post has given a commitment that there will be a post office in every community of over 500 people and within 15 kilometres of 95 per cent of the rural population and 3 kilometres of the urban population;
— a protocol specifically sought by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment ensures that any closures are on a voluntary basis, and where a closure is due to occur An Post will make an assessment on the future provision of services within the locality by reference to specific criteria;
— individuals, groups or representatives can apply to have decisions reviewed through a new independent review process which will determine if An Post has correctly applied the criteria outlined in the protocol, and any retailer in the locations earmarked for closure can apply to An Post to be considered to take over some or all of the services of that post office and may appeal an unfavourable decision; and
— by facilitating those that wish to exit the business, neighbouring offices will be further supported, thereby ensuring a sustainable network for the future; and
calls on the Government to:
— ensure Government services continue to provide the backbone of a sustainable nationwide post office network;
— support An Post in the roll out of new services and the delivery of its strategic plan to ensure the financial viability of An Post and the continued fulfilment of its mandate to deliver a mail delivery service and a viable post office network; and
— ensure that An Post engages fairly with the 159 communities where postmasters are retiring, to ensure post office services are appropriate to the local area and take into account the potential for co-location.
- (Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment)
Amendment again put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 43; Níl, 78; Staon, 0.
Tá
- Bailey, Maria.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Breen, Pat.
- Brophy, Colm.
- Burke, Peter.
- Byrne, Catherine.
- Canney, Seán.
- Cannon, Ciarán.
- Carey, Joe.
- Corcoran Kennedy, Marcella.
- Coveney, Simon.
- Creed, Michael.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Daly, Jim.
- Deasy, John.
- Doherty, Regina.
- Doyle, Andrew.
- Durkan, Bernard J.
- English, Damien.
- Farrell, Alan.
- Fitzgerald, Frances.
- Fitzpatrick, Peter.
- Halligan, John.
- Harris, Simon.
- Heydon, Martin.
- Humphreys, Heather.
- Madigan, Josepha.
- McHugh, Joe.
- McLoughlin, Tony.
- Mitchell O'Connor, Mary.
- Moran, Kevin Boxer.
- Murphy, Dara.
- Naughten, Denis.
- Naughton, Hildegarde.
- Neville, Tom.
- Noonan, Michael.
- O'Connell, Kate.
- O'Donovan, Patrick.
- O'Dowd, Fergus.
- Phelan, John Paul.
- Rock, Noel.
- Stanton, David.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Níl
- Adams, Gerry.
- Aylward, Bobby.
- Barry, Mick.
- Boyd Barrett, Richard.
- Brady, John.
- Brassil, John.
- Breathnach, Declan.
- Broughan, Thomas P.
- Browne, James.
- Buckley, Pat.
- Butler, Mary.
- Calleary, Dara.
- Casey, Pat.
- Cassells, Shane.
- Chambers, Lisa.
- Collins, Joan.
- Collins, Michael.
- Collins, Niall.
- Connolly, Catherine.
- Cowen, Barry.
- Cullinane, David.
- Curran, John.
- Daly, Clare.
- Doherty, Pearse.
- Donnelly, Stephen S.
- Dooley, Timmy.
- Ellis, Dessie.
- Ferris, Martin.
- Fitzmaurice, Michael.
- Fleming, Sean.
- Funchion, Kathleen.
- Gallagher, Pat The Cope.
- Harty, Michael.
- Haughey, Seán.
- Healy-Rae, Danny.
- Healy, Seamus.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kelly, Alan.
- Kenny, Gino.
- Lahart, John.
- Lawless, James.
- Lowry, Michael.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Martin, Catherine.
- McDonald, Mary Lou.
- McGrath, Mattie.
- McGrath, Michael.
- McGuinness, John.
- Mitchell, Denise.
- Moynihan, Aindrias.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Munster, Imelda.
- Murphy O'Mahony, Margaret.
- Murphy, Catherine.
- Murphy, Eugene.
- Nolan, Carol.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Keeffe, Kevin.
- O'Reilly, Louise.
- O'Rourke, Frank.
- O'Sullivan, Jan.
- O'Sullivan, Maureen.
- Ó Broin, Eoin.
- Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.
- Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
- Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
- Penrose, Willie.
- Pringle, Thomas.
- Quinlivan, Maurice.
- Ryan, Brendan.
- Scanlon, Eamon.
- Shortall, Róisín.
- Smith, Brendan.
- Smith, Bríd.
- Smyth, Niamh.
- Tóibín, Peadar.
- Troy, Robert.
- Wallace, Mick.
Staon
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Joe McHugh and Tony McLoughlin; Níl, Deputies Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Denise Mitchell.
Amendment declared lost.
I move amendment No. 2:
To delete the words “prevent the closure of 159 post offices across the State by advertising new contracts, offering alternative services and allowing the potential for co-location of post offices” and substitute the following:
“— guarantee the current post office network to ensure that all citizens of Ireland have access to their important services by introducing a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) model;
— prevent the loss of post office services in the 159 communities where postmasters or postmistresses are retiring by advertising a contract under the new PSO model, appropriate to the local area and taking into account the potential for co-location;”
Amendment put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 70; Níl, 55; Staon, 0.
Tá
- Adams, Gerry.
- Aylward, Bobby.
- Brady, John.
- Brassil, John.
- Breathnach, Declan.
- Browne, James.
- Buckley, Pat.
- Butler, Mary.
- Calleary, Dara.
- Casey, Pat.
- Cassells, Shane.
- Chambers, Lisa.
- Collins, Michael.
- Collins, Niall.
- Cowen, Barry.
- Cullinane, David.
- Curran, John.
- Daly, Clare.
- Doherty, Pearse.
- Donnelly, Stephen S.
- Dooley, Timmy.
- Ellis, Dessie.
- Ferris, Martin.
- Fitzmaurice, Michael.
- Fleming, Sean.
- Funchion, Kathleen.
- Gallagher, Pat The Cope.
- Harty, Michael.
- Haughey, Seán.
- Healy-Rae, Danny.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kelly, Alan.
- Lahart, John.
- Lawless, James.
- Lowry, Michael.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- McDonald, Mary Lou.
- McGrath, Mattie.
- McGrath, Michael.
- McGuinness, John.
- Mitchell, Denise.
- Moynihan, Aindrias.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Munster, Imelda.
- Murphy O'Mahony, Margaret.
- Murphy, Catherine.
- Murphy, Eugene.
- Nolan, Carol.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Dea, Willie.
- O'Keeffe, Kevin.
- O'Reilly, Louise.
- O'Rourke, Frank.
- O'Sullivan, Jan.
- Ó Broin, Eoin.
- Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.
- Ó Cuív, Éamon.
- Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
- Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
- Penrose, Willie.
- Quinlivan, Maurice.
- Rabbitte, Anne.
- Ryan, Brendan.
- Scanlon, Eamon.
- Shortall, Róisín.
- Smith, Brendan.
- Smyth, Niamh.
- Tóibín, Peadar.
- Troy, Robert.
- Wallace, Mick.
Níl
- Bailey, Maria.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Barry, Mick.
- Boyd Barrett, Richard.
- Breen, Pat.
- Brophy, Colm.
- Broughan, Thomas P.
- Burke, Peter.
- Byrne, Catherine.
- Canney, Seán.
- Cannon, Ciarán.
- Carey, Joe.
- Collins, Joan.
- Connolly, Catherine.
- Coppinger, Ruth.
- Corcoran Kennedy, Marcella.
- Coveney, Simon.
- Creed, Michael.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Daly, Jim.
- Deasy, John.
- Doherty, Regina.
- Doyle, Andrew.
- Durkan, Bernard J.
- English, Damien.
- Farrell, Alan.
- Fitzgerald, Frances.
- Fitzpatrick, Peter.
- Halligan, John.
- Harris, Simon.
- Healy, Seamus.
- Heydon, Martin.
- Humphreys, Heather.
- Kenny, Gino.
- Madigan, Josepha.
- Martin, Catherine.
- McHugh, Joe.
- McLoughlin, Tony.
- Mitchell O'Connor, Mary.
- Moran, Kevin Boxer.
- Murphy, Dara.
- Naughten, Denis.
- Naughton, Hildegarde.
- Neville, Tom.
- Noonan, Michael.
- O'Connell, Kate.
- O'Donovan, Patrick.
- O'Dowd, Fergus.
- O'Sullivan, Maureen.
- Phelan, John Paul.
- Pringle, Thomas.
- Rock, Noel.
- Smith, Bríd.
- Stanton, David.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Staon
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Michael Moynihan and John Lahart; Níl, Deputies Joe McHugh and Tony McLoughlin.
Amendment declared carried.
I move amendment No. 1:
To delete all words after “calls on the Government to” and substitute the following:
— act urgently on its commitment as outlined in A Programme for a Partnership Government and on the direction of Dáil Éireann by way of the Rural Independent Group motion which was agreed to by the House on 16th November 2016 and which has to date been ignored by the Government; and prevent the closure of 159 post offices across the State by advertising new contracts, offering additional services through the post offices and allowing for co-location of post offices.
Amendment put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 21; Níl, 49; Staon, 53.
Tá
- Broughan, Thomas P.
- Collins, Joan.
- Collins, Michael.
- Connolly, Catherine.
- Daly, Clare.
- Fitzmaurice, Michael.
- Harty, Michael.
- Healy-Rae, Danny.
- Healy, Seamus.
- Howlin, Brendan.
- Kelly, Alan.
- Lowry, Michael.
- McGrath, Mattie.
- Murphy, Catherine.
- Nolan, Carol.
- O'Sullivan, Jan.
- O'Sullivan, Maureen.
- Penrose, Willie.
- Pringle, Thomas.
- Shortall, Róisín.
- Wallace, Mick.
Níl
- Bailey, Maria.
- Barrett, Seán.
- Barry, Mick.
- Boyd Barrett, Richard.
- Breen, Pat.
- Brophy, Colm.
- Burke, Peter.
- Byrne, Catherine.
- Canney, Seán.
- Cannon, Ciarán.
- Carey, Joe.
- Coppinger, Ruth.
- Corcoran Kennedy, Marcella.
- Coveney, Simon.
- Creed, Michael.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Daly, Jim.
- Deasy, John.
- Doherty, Regina.
- Doyle, Andrew.
- Durkan, Bernard J.
- English, Damien.
- Farrell, Alan.
- Fitzgerald, Frances.
- Fitzpatrick, Peter.
- Halligan, John.
- Harris, Simon.
- Heydon, Martin.
- Humphreys, Heather.
- Kenny, Gino.
- Madigan, Josepha.
- Martin, Catherine.
- McHugh, Joe.
- McLoughlin, Tony.
- Mitchell O'Connor, Mary.
- Moran, Kevin Boxer.
- Murphy, Dara.
- Naughten, Denis.
- Naughton, Hildegarde.
- Neville, Tom.
- Noonan, Michael.
- O'Connell, Kate.
- O'Donovan, Patrick.
- O'Dowd, Fergus.
- Phelan, John Paul.
- Rock, Noel.
- Smith, Bríd.
- Stanton, David.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Staon
- Adams, Gerry.
- Aylward, Bobby.
- Brady, John.
- Brassil, John.
- Breathnach, Declan.
- Browne, James.
- Buckley, Pat.
- Butler, Mary.
- Calleary, Dara.
- Casey, Pat.
- Cassells, Shane.
- Chambers, Lisa.
- Collins, Niall.
- Cowen, Barry.
- Cullinane, David.
- Curran, John.
- Doherty, Pearse.
- Donnelly, Stephen S.
- Dooley, Timmy.
- Ellis, Dessie.
- Ferris, Martin.
- Fleming, Sean.
- Funchion, Kathleen.
- Gallagher, Pat The Cope.
- Haughey, Seán.
- Lahart, John.
- Lawless, James.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- McDonald, Mary Lou.
- McGrath, Michael.
- McGuinness, John.
- Mitchell, Denise.
- Moynihan, Aindrias.
- Moynihan, Michael.
- Munster, Imelda.
- Murphy O'Mahony, Margaret.
- Murphy, Eugene.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Keeffe, Kevin.
- O'Reilly, Louise.
- O'Rourke, Frank.
- Ó Broin, Eoin.
- Ó Caoláin, Caoimhghín.
- Ó Cuív, Éamon.
- Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
- Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
- Quinlivan, Maurice.
- Rabbitte, Anne.
- Scanlon, Eamon.
- Smith, Brendan.
- Smyth, Niamh.
- Tóibín, Peadar.
- Troy, Robert.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mattie McGrath and Michael Harty; Níl, Deputies Joe McHugh and Tony McLoughlin.
Amendment declared lost.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.