TDs from across the political spectrum are being asked to support an upcoming Dáil motion aimed at saving 159 rural post offices which have been earmarked for closure.
Eighteen of the 159 rural post offices are in County Galway, the highest number in the State.
Midlands North-West MEP Matt Carthy has called on TDs to support the motion which calls on the Dáil to recognise the importance of post offices to local communities.
The Sinn Féin motion also calls for the government to prevent the closure of 159 post offices across the State by advertising new contracts, offering alternative services and allowing the potential for co-location of post offices.
Matt Carthy MEP said: “Under Fianna Fáil governments 755 post offices were shut down between 1999 and 2011. Now, under Fine Gael we are facing the impending closure of 159 post offices.
“Experience tells us that if these closures are not stopped others will follow and that further services will be removed from rural communities who are already devastated by the lack of government support or investment.
“The motion put forward by Sinn Féin deputies now provides the opportunity to TDs from all political backgrounds to speak as one and stop these closures.
“Local post office branches are a vital element in the sustainability of many small towns, villages and communities across Ireland. But our rural post office network has been under sustained attack in recent years.”
The motion also calls for the extension of the services post offices provide, while retaining existing services such as social welfare payments.
