Thank you, Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.36

Thank you, Minister.

Sentiment score: 0.36

Minister-----

Sentiment score: 0.00

Minister, no one interrupted-----

Sentiment score: -0.30

Thank you, Members.

Sentiment score: 0.36

No one interrupted you, Minister. Thank you.

Sentiment score: -0.08

Yes. Take your time.

Sentiment score: 0.20

Thank you, Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.36

Thank you, Deputy. You are over time.

Sentiment score: 0.18

Thank you. The Labour Party is-----

Sentiment score: 0.38

Deputy Newsome Drennan, thank you. Your time is up. We will move to the Labour Party.

Sentiment score: 0.25

We stopped the clock for that so he did not.

Sentiment score: -0.23

Postal workers, as the Minister of State will be aware, remain a traditional pillar of our communities. Like other such pillars, including nurses, social workers and youth workers, they are often taken for granted. We never truly understand the hidden magic behind their occupation, the relationships they build, the local knowledge they develop and the many tasks outside their job description they will do just to go that extra step, yet post offices continue to face existential questions. Why are post offices closing or relocating? Is it because the cost of running a business has become excruciatingly high? Is it because the model is outdated? Is it because the State is not utilising these community hubs to their full potential? I fully agreed with the CEO of An Post this week, who was quoted in The University Times as stating that An Post and our postal workers are "essential infrastructure in the country", which is why announcements of closures or relocations are always met with anger, frustration and deep sadness. Leixlip post office relocated in 2024 from its main-street location to a site on the outskirts of the town. Undoubtedly, this business decision was not taken lightly, but it was another example of the invasive erosion of our main-street culture. As each shop closes, one more reason to go into town goes with it. While unit after unit lies empty and desolate, the rent, the rates and the insurance bills stave off interest before a viewing is even scheduled, so we find ourselves with ever less reason to go to our main street. The costs saved by a post office closure or move will be a bill picked up by the State elsewhere. Loneliness has become a disease on this island, and while this is not the official responsibility of our local post office, each loss or relocation contributions. A new CEO will take the helm at An Post this year. I wish them well, but they will not save our main street. That is not their job. They will not resolve loneliness. That is not their job. It is everybody's job here.

Sentiment score: -0.09

The Deputy is over time.

Sentiment score: 0.00