Three weeks ago in this Chamber I asked the Taoiseach about the state of the post office network. I asked him what was happening with regard to the programme for Government. I asked him if he would act on the Kerr report, and I also asked him if there was a need to introduce legislation to give a new lease of life to post offices. The Taoiseach gave me an assurance on the day but from reading the print press in recent days, it is now clear that the post office network is collapsing and it is disgraceful that the Government is sitting on its hands, as it were, and doing nothing. When we speak about the post office service, the reality is that old people and those with a disability use the post office more than any other people. Therefore, we are discriminating against people who need that service. I will ask the Taoiseach one or two questions.

One question, please, Deputy.

I will combine them in one question. First, will the Taoiseach clarify, because he did not on the previous day, which Minister has responsibility for the post office network? Is it the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, my constituency colleague, the Minister, Deputy Naughten, or the Taoiseach's friend, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring? Second, when can we expect action on this issue? If the Taoiseach does not act, within 12 months I can see 600 to 800 post offices closing.

My good friend and colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, will outline the detail of that for the Deputy this evening. He has been very active over the last period in meeting the different groups - postmasters, postmistresses and the different bodies - and he will spell out the facts this evening.

He is not here.

We were wondering where he had gone.

I would say they are all in Mayo.

The debate will be wound up by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I point out to the Deputy that the Government already committed to the basic bank account for post offices to be delivered through the Department of Social Protection. I point out to him also that many people are now doing their business online. As the Deputy well knows, a service will only survive if it is being used by people. I have evidence of a number of postmasters and postmistresses retiring but nobody in the community wanting to continue to provide a service. We cannot do anything about that. The Government is very open to giving every opportunity to post offices but the Deputy will have to bear in mind that times are changing and that people are the only ones who can keep a post office open by using the services it provides. The debate will take place this evening.