asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction amongst the residents of Cloghan, County Offaly, as a result of the discontinuance of the midday postal service; and if he will take steps to have the position remedied.

The very small quantity of mail concerned, which averages less than 20 items per day, would not justify the reintroduction of a second daily postal delivery in Cloghan. The items are available to callers to the Post Office from 12 noon each week day.

Is it not a fact that officials are going through the country and arranging for the discontinuance of other services?

That is a separate matter.

The position is that a reorganisation of postal services was initiated some years ago and that reorganisation is not completed yet. The idea is to give each citizen in each postal district a uniform method of delivery.