Post office network rumours
Micheál Martin raises concern about rumours of a post office network removal process and seeks clarity before Christmas. The Minister explains that An Post has long planned a mail centre closure as part of restructuring and a 2017 labour agreement.
Last week, I offered to sit on Friday to have other debates and try to get things moving. I have always believed that the two and a half days the House sits cannot cover everything at particular points in time.
I have stated that repeatedly but it has fallen on deaf ears for a long time.
On questions on promised legislation, Fianna Fáil will support the establishment of a post office network removal process to build on An Post's existing five-year strategy for the network. That is addressed in the programme for Government in regard to post offices and community banking. The post office network has been debated in this House for many years. The Taoiseach may be aware that in the wake of the Labour Court hearings last year An Post confirmed it would be closing one of its mail centres. The staff in the existing centres in Dublin, Athlone, Portlaoise and Cork are very concerned. Up to 200 people could be laid off as a result of that decision. Has the Minster, Deputy Bruton, as a shareholder, engaged with An Post on this specific issue? Surely, the Government should be doing all it can to avoid the loss of 200 jobs in any particular centre. The staff in all four are very anxious-----
Comment on this
-----about their fate coming up to Christmas. It is time for clarity in that regard.
Comment on this
I understand the Deputy's concern at the rumours that have been circulating, particularly in Cork. This was the subject of a Topical Issue matter last week. As the Deputy is aware, An Post has gone through a very difficult period and had to restructure its business substantially and increase the price of stamps. As part of the restructuring, one of the mail centres will be closed. That was integral to the labour agreement negotiated in September 2017. Some of the savings from the closure were allocated to the payment of increased wages at that time. This decision has long been flagged by An Post, which is a commercial State body. It will be a matter for the board to make a decision on this and it has indicated that a decision will not be taken until 2019.