Labour TD Ivana Bacik has criticised government inaction over the proposed relocation and sale of the Rathmines post office.
Dubbing the government’s stance on the issue as “crocodile tears,” the Dublin Bay South TD criticised the government for “stripping away” public services for Rathmines.
Bacik noted that Rathmines has the population of a major regional town, and that people in Ballsbridge, Harold’s Cross and Ranelagh are having postal services impacted.
She noted, “it is true to say that the way our communities use postal services is changing, market trends in e-commerce cannot justify the cutting of a public service, leaving those reliant on face-to-face support without a crucial lifeline.”
The Labour leader noted “pensioners, those with literacy challenges, migrant communities, homeless people – all these groups stand to lose out from further closures.”
Bacik and local Labour councillors Fiona Connelly and Dermot Lacey have held a number of public meetings about the topic in recent years, and Bacik noted that there are “mental health benefits” to face-to-face support.
“In a loneliness epidemic, forcing that engagement into isolated corners of society is a bad idea,” Bacik said.
She noted that Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers have the legal authority to stop the sale of the building or ensure that the building remains in public use and ownership.
“Their failure to do so has made it deeply frustrating to hear government representatives wring their hands about declining post-office services,” she said.
The Labour leader said that the post office was “too important” to be turned into a commercial development.
“Alongside councillors Fiona Connelly and Dermot Lacey, I have been working with residents’ associations, local people and activist groups to push for a meaningful dialogue between An Post and Dublin City Council that would secure this public building for genuine community use. The Rathmines Post Office must remain in public ownership,” she said.
Labour’s communications spokesperson, Northside TD Robert O’Donoghue, said that post offices could be turned into multi-service community hubs, such as offering passport renewal services, driving license renewals, NCT appointments, or other practical supports.