An Post network in Mayo
Senator Duffy raised concerns about proposed changes to the An Post network, especially the possible relocation of the Ballyhaunis delivery unit and its impact on the town.
I wish to highlight the multiple issues that have been raised with me regarding the An Post network, particularly in my home county of Mayo. Councillor Alma Gallagher in Ballyhaunis raised with me the proposal to relocate the delivery unit of An Post to Castlerea. In 2015, this unit was relocated from Bridge Street to the enterprise unit on Clare Street, which is owned by Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce. It has operated successfully. It handles approximately 2,000 packages per week and serves many of the businesses within the town. Within the last week or so, there have been proposals and discussions for it to be relocated to Castlerea. That is something that I am totally against, as are Councillor Alma Gallagher; the business community, including Dawn Meats, Major Equipment and AgriSpread; and local GP practices and shops in the area. It does not make sense from an accessibility point of view for businesses or An Post employees who will have to travel much greater distances. It is environmentally unfriendly if these are the grounds you want to argue on. It is not pro-business and it will not support businesses in the same way. We have gone to great lengths to fund and support An Post in recent budgets, so we need the services and the existing infrastructure to be maintained and protected in County Mayo. The same goes for Belmullet where a sorting office is to be relocated to my home town of Ballina. Belmullet is one hour from Ballina. That relocation does not make sense and it needs to be totally reconsidered. We need clarity. I ask that we discuss this with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, to seek clarity on the logic of this proposal. Indeed, An Post needs to make it clear. We need to put a stop to it. I would welcome the support of the Leader on this.