SOS call for people to use their post offices

The general public is being urged to use their local post offices or risk losing them; while more government support for the network is also being demanded.

Cllrs Áine Smith (FF), Brendan Fay (Ind) and John Paul Feeley (FF) called for the State to invest in the An Post network when speaking at the September meeting of Cavan County Council.

Nine councillors spoke in support of the motion with some telling grim stories about the demise of the post office in their local area.

In his motion, Cllr Fay asked that the council write to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan ‘requesting a clear commitment to the future investment and sustainability of the post office network, recognising the vital roles local post offices play in supporting our communities, particularly in rural towns and villages’.

Cllr Smith and Feeley’s motions asked for “additional State support” and “additional investment” in the post office network, respectively.

Cllr Fay said he had two similar motions in 2021 and 2023 but “didn’t even get a response.” And he wanted to “express his deep concern” about the closure of post offices.

Seconding the motion, Cllr Feeley emphasised that the post office network is “hugely important” but is struggling as a result of a number of factors, including cashless transactions.

He cited how one man in his constituency complained about a local post office closing down but, when Cllr Feeley pressed him, the man admitted to having his pension paid directly into his bank, “so I said ‘why are you complaining?’” Cllr Feeley said.

The Cavan-Belturbet councillor lamented how, when the postmaster and mistress in Blacklion post office retired, “there was no one to take on the business.”

Appealing for people to use their post office, the Cathaoirleach criticised the An Post boss saying: “The number of letters being posted is declining, the price of a stamp has increased. You have to worry about the business acumen of a manager who claps himself on the back on social media on every occasion.”

Sinn Féin councillor Stiofán Conaty said Ballyhaise post office is “on its last legs” and “only a few months away from closure”.

And he asked: “How are people supposed to be encouraged to carry out services that are not there anymore? The State is trying to direct people to get their TV licence, passports and pensions online now.”Cllr Conaty said he spoke with a postmistress who was being paid below minimum wage and can’t make her business viable; “while An Post as an entity is making a lot of profit.”

The Bailieborough – Cootehill councillor said postmasters and mistresses are operating modern click and collect parcel services “but getting no money for it”.

Councillors Clifford Kelly (FF), Trevor Smith (FG), Patricia Walsh (FF) and Shane P O’Reilly (Ind) all spoke in support of the motion.

‘Kick in the stomach’

Cllr Brendan Fay says he makes a point to do all his business through the post office; while Cllr Shane P O’Reilly called the phasing out of the post office Payzone service for buying phone credit and paying bills and tolls on the M50 and N3 as “another kick in the stomach”.

“There is one thing you cannot pay for and that is the social interaction you get in the post office,” Cllr S.P. O’Reilly said. “Some of the best laughs I’ve had have been in the post office on a Friday evening. The place for that interaction used to be the barber shop now, it’s the post office,” Shane P O’Reilly said.

“Also, a postmaster or mistress is the first to see when something isn’t quite right with a neighbour,” the independent rep said before adding that he concurred with the chairman over his comments about the boss of An Post.

“Sometimes those who are paid hundreds of thousands pay no stock to this personal element,” he said.

Councillors Damien Brady (SF) and Niall Smith (FF) also supported the motion.

Cllr Feely further questioned how the profit from 84 million An Post transactions a year does not trickle down to post offices, the company’s “top heavy” management and the company’s purchase of 200 EV vehicles at a time when they’re cutting traditional post office services.

The motion proposed by Cllr Áine Smith and seconded by her Fianna Fail colleague Cllr John Paul Feeley received vocal support of nine councillors altogether.