Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2006
88 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the president of the Irish Postmasters’ Union’s recent claim that the commercial viability for post offices in some remote communities is practically impossible and that this needs to be recognised by the Government and practically addressed by way of the introduction of public service obligation. [18165/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network providing a range of services to meet customer needs as set out in the Programme for Government. The network is geared towards customer demand in both urban and rural locations and must be adaptable to changing circumstances and trends but the core objective of the Government continues to be the retention of access to post office services in as many locations as possible.
The Deputy will appreciate, however, that I have no statutory responsibility for postal services and that the question of the commercial viability of post offices is a matter for my colleague, Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
