Conor D McGuinness on Post Office Closures: 'What planet are you on?'

Conor D McGuinness criticised government ministers over post office closures, saying the reductions deprive residents of essential services and reflect long-standing systemic failure. He warned that 257 post offices have closed over the last 10 years and aligned his remarks with warnings from Sinn Féin and the Irish Postmasters Union.

Criticism of ministers

Conor D McGuinness directly challenged the ministers' response to post office closures, asking "What planet are you on?" He argued the government's position was inadequate in the face of widespread closures and criticised the handling of the issue in the House.

Impact on communities

He said the devastating impact of post office closures on all communities, both rural and urban, is leaving residents without access to essential financial, social and state services. McGuinness emphasised that many important social services remain available only through the post office network.

Warnings from organisations and party alignment

McGuinness noted that his remarks align with long-standing warnings not just from Sinn Féin but also from the Irish Postmasters Union and many others. He framed the problem as a systemic failure by government over decades to address the decline of the post office network.

Scale and recent losses

He stated that 257 post offices have closed over the last 10 years, using the figure to underscore the extent of the decline and to argue for more decisive action to protect services and communities.