Thurles post office relocation
Deputy Mattie McGrath objected to An Post moving Thurles post office from the town centre, saying it would damage local trade and contradict rural regeneration promises. The Tánaiste said it was not appropriate to decide post office locations on the Dáil floor, and the Deputy insisted the Government should intervene.
The programme for Government is strong in its commitment on rural regeneration. Thurles is famed for the founding fathers of the GAA, the trip to Semple and the matches. Now An Post, which has become a quango, has unilaterally decided to move the post office from the square in Thurles, an iconic location near Hayes hotel, out to a shopping centre. That is killing the centre of the town, as has happened in many towns where shopping centres have been developed.
Comment on this
There is promised legislation to rejuvenate towns. The Department of Deputy Michael Ring has given funding for Liberty Square of over €1.5 million. Last Monday evening I saw them painting a new sign on the post office. They are spending €6 million on new signage in post offices yet Angus Laverty said on radio last week that this one is being moved in six weeks' time. This is farcical. One hand does not know what the other is doing. I urge the Tánaiste to ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to instruct An Post to treat communities with respect. It has been supported for decades and should not be hunting the post offices out of the town and affecting other businesses. There is a huge knock-on effect as regards where people spend their money if they get it in shopping centres. I am not anti-shopping centres but I am for the support of Thurles town centre and small businesses.
Comment on this
I am not sure it is appropriate for us to be deciding on the location of post offices on the floor of the Dáil.
Comment on this
The Tánaiste should not wash his hands of it.