This article is from page 20 of the 2014-02-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THERE was a 31 per cent decline in the number of post offices operating in Clare in the last seven years, a meeting has heard.
A total 17 offices closed between 2006 and 2013 bringing the number of offices in Clare down from 54 to 37. According to the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU), closures took place in Liscannor, Kilnamona, Kilmaley, Crusheen, Bodyke, Dunsallagh, Kilmurry, Ennis, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Spanish Point, Maurice Mills, Mountshannon, Bellharbour, Ballynacally, Ruan, Connolly, Tubber and Flagmount.
The figures were revealed at a public meeting in the West County Hotel, Ennis on Thursday night.
The meeting was organised by the IPU who are urging Clare TDs to vote in favour of a bill aimed at protecting the future of the post office network in Ireland.
Clare residents in favour of the motion are expected to travel to Dublin on Wednesday to express their support. The motion calls on the Government to produce a comprehensive plan setting out measures to deliver on their commitment to sustain the network as contained in the Programme for Government.
Speaking at the meeting, Clare Postmaster Tom O’Callaghan said, “The Post Office network is under serious threat. The network as we know it will be wiped out unless we get Government action now.
“While An Post has retained the Social Welfare payments contract for a possible six-year term, this is only a temporary respite. We need a plan to ensure that Post Offices play a central role in the delivery of wel- fare payments and other Government services and we need that plan now.”
Mr O’Callaghan, a native of Kildysart added, “The Post Office network will be decimated if the income from the welfare payments contract is lost.”
There were a number of speakers on the night including West Clare councillor Pat Keane.
Cllr Keane (FF), whose wife runs a post office in Kilkee, urged An Post to show the same faith in rural Ireland as American businessman Donald Trump has.
“There is a post office in Doonbeg that they are fighting hard to retain. It’s ironic that an American is after spending € 15 million for an infrastructure in Doonbeg. That’s the kind of confidence he has in places like Doonbeg. Yet An Post hasn’t the confidence to keep post offices open,” he said in reference to Donald Trump’s recent purchase of Doonbeg golf club.
President of the IPU, Ciaran McEntee told the meeting that a list of TDs names who vote against the IPU motion in the Dáíl on Wednesday, will be put on the wall of every post office in the country.