IPU head calls on Government to enter talks

The Head of the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) says there are post office operators across Ireland who living in the 'Catch 22 situation where they can't afford to stay open and can't afford to close either'.

Accusing the Government of overseeing the demise of the Network by doing little to support it, the IPU has now witten to Minister for Communications Denis Naughten and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to enter into meaningful negeotiations.

Mr O'Hara said the talks with An Post, which had been ongoing since May, had 'gone as far as they could', adding: 'There was no point in us sitting around pretending something was happening when nothing was.'

The IPU is to hold Branch Meetings across the country in the coming weeks to discuss the challenges being faced.

Mr O'Hara added that the Union would not, as a result, cooperate with the rollout of the planned An Post Smart Account.

IPU Vice President and North East spokesperson Ciarán McEntee from Threemilehouse in Monaghan said the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Naughten need to put the future of the Post Office Network on 'page one' of the Government's priority list.

'An Post needs to embrace the many opportunities for the Post Office Network – and look ambitiously towards the optimum level of access and services that can be delivered for communities into the future,' Mr. McEntee said.