asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in order to allay public disquiet, he will give an undertaking that the status, particularly the grading, of Tipperary town post office will be maintained.

, Dublin South-Central): Tipperary Post Office is a Departmentally-staffed office. The intention is to continue it as such, and maintain the present range and standard of the service available at the Office to the public. If the Deputy is referring to the grading of the postmaster for salary purposes, this is a matter proper to be dealt with under the civil service conciliation and arbitration scheme.

: There is grave concern locally among the staff and the public that the status of Tipperary post office might be altered. A new post office is in the course of erection and there is great concern that the post office might be downgraded and that another post office in the county would be upgraded at the expense of the post office in Tipperary town.

(Dublin South-Central): I have no information as regards the other post office being upgraded. This review is continuing all the time at conciliation and arbitration as regards the grading of postmasters.

: May I take it that there is no danger of Tipperary town post office being downgraded?

(Dublin South-Central): I could not give an undertaking to that effect. That is a matter for conciliation and arbitration.

: Is the question being examined by the Department?

(Dublin South-Central): It is.