Paul Murphy criticises Unpost privatisation of Tala post office

Paul Murphy criticised Unpost's privatisation agenda, arguing it would close Tala Post Office and reduce services for the local community. He said he has written confirmation from Unpost that there are no guarantees on staff numbers or counters and highlighted community protests and petitions.

Allegations about service reductions

Paul Murphy told the House that the proposed changes will lead to one of the busiest post offices in the state being closed, employees being forcibly redeployed elsewhere, and the community being left with a much reduced service in a smaller post office at a different location.

Written evidence from Unpost

He said he has received written confirmation from Unpost stating there is no guarantee of the same number of staff or the same number of counters in the affected locations, which he argued means services will be reduced despite official claims to the contrary.

Community response and petitions

Murphy noted that residents have protested on the streets in Tala, have signed petitions against the closures, and that over a thousand people petitioned to save Tala Post Office and others. He said campaigners would be outside the Dáil on the day of the speech.

Call for government intervention

He urged the government to act, to instruct on post policy, and to withdraw from what he described as a privatisation agenda for Unpost. He said people expect the government to prevent the downgrading of services.

Parliamentary follow-up

The Chair acknowledged the issue had been raised previously and said he would ask the Minister for Communications to revert to Paul Murphy on the specific points he made in the House.