The Minister and Minister of State have admitted that post offices provide vital services in our communities and support local economies. However, there has been a spate of closures in recent years. Over the past decade, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have operated hand in glove together in government. We have seen the closure of more than 250 post offices, predominantly in the rural communities. This does madden rural communities, in particular, many of whom have seen schools and Garda stations shut, accident and emergency departments close and other services stripped from their local hospitals. The question for the Government, the Minister and Ministers of State is: do they find this objectionable and, if so, what are they going to do about it? The IPU warned only late last year that without additional support, up to 40% of remaining post offices will be shut. I commend the union because for years now, it has not only been highlighting the grave threats posed to the viability of our local post offices but has made extensive suggestions as to how their futures can be secured by outlining how they could innovatively offer enhanced and even greater services to their local communities, which that have often seen a lack of inward investment in public services. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are a uniparty of rural closures, and we know that. The very least they could do is support the post offices to offset the worst impacts of the lack of investment in rural Ireland. I urge the Minister and Ministers of State to engage with the Irish Postmasters' Union; change tack and finally recognise the value of our local post offices and fund them appropriately so that they can continue to operate.

Sentiment score: 0.07