Is mór agam an deis seo labhairt ar oifigí an phoist timpeall na tíre agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leo. I wish Deputy Cleere's father every good wish in his retirement in the month ahead. It is very important that we note the central role that post offices play. In particular, as the Deputy and other colleagues have said, I also acknowledge the important role that postmasters play. I and my Dublin colleagues in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party have been engaging extensively with postmasters in Dublin in particular over the past year to ensure their voices are heard. We know there is an importance to post offices in rural parts of the country. However, in Dublin and other urban areas especially, where there are large numbers of people who are retired and receiving a pension, the post office is of great importance. It may be the only human interaction that many of them will experience in a week. In a world where pressure is coming on for the delivery of services to be digital first, it is important that we recognise the social good that comes from human interaction and a place that people can go to. It is not only the place where they get their pension payment for the week or do any business they need to do; it is a place to meet people. We have heard horrific stories where the postmaster raised the alarm because someone did not turn up to receive a payment and that was how it was found out that they were in difficulty or something more sinister had happened. It is important that we recognise the pivotal role that postmasters play and that is why I welcome the commitment to ensure €50 million per year goes into the post office network to ensure it is well-funded. It is also important for us to recognise that people still have an attachment to the postal service. In Denmark, the national postal service has suspended the delivery of letters. In my area of Dublin Mid-West, where we have experienced a slower delivery time for services and post in recent weeks, it has become apparent that many people still rely on the postal service. It underlines the importance of having that facility there. As Deputy O'Connor said, the fact that we now have a world where online scams are even more prevalent, having human interaction, a physical presence and a place that people can go to is very important. I cannot overemphasise the role in urban cohesion that post offices play, especially in my constituency of Dublin Mid-West but also across the Dublin area. In many cases, postmasters will know their customers by name and will be able to look after their particular needs. They give people that social outlet and human connection in a world that seems increasingly online. To people without digital skills, that can be terrifying. The post office is a safe harbour for them to go to. It should be like a commercial organisation but with a social conscience and social aim at its heart.

Sentiment score: 0.19