WexfordLocal.com

By Dan Walsh

The Oireachtas has published a report (yesterday) on the impact of Brexit and makes 53 recommendations in a range of areas about how Ireland can be best placed to address the ongoing repercussions of the decision of the UK to leave the European Union.

Senator Malcolm Byrne was one of the twelve members of the committee, and the sole member from Wexford, that spent the last eight months in detailed discussions with a range of stakeholders in this significant piece of work.

Senator Byrne told WexfordLocal.com; “We engaged with Rosslare Europort and haulage companies and the effects on our freight traffic. But we also considered the impact of Brexit on so many other aspects of our lives – education and training and recognition of qualifications; managing data held in different jurisdictions; the impact on importing and exporting of food and drink, and, of course, the ongoing political ramifications.

“One big issue that I highlighted before has been the impact of Brexit on the price of certain goods, including flour, which is incredibly significant for Co. Wexford, not just because of the bakeries located here but also planned development of a mill in the county.

“Brexit continues to have profound implications for Wexford. I am immensely proud that I was able to ensure a specific recommendation about Rosslare Europort as well as on digitising paperwork to speed up movement at the ports as well as looking for greater support for businesses negativey impacted by the Rules of Origin (including flour).

The Wexford related recommendations that may be of interest includes a Specific Recommendation on Page 43 that reads as follows;

“The Committee recommends the expansion of Rosslare Europort and the new direct routes from continental Europe and is of the view that, following the recent demand-led transformation of the port, the port continues to be developed and that further resources be allocated to facilitate further necessary routes/sailings. Further development of the port will alleviate pressure on Dublin Port and congestion on surrounding motorways such as the M50. To facilitate this expansion, the Committee recommends that the motorway and link road to Rosslare be completed without delay to improve connectivity with Rosslare port.”

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Independent Deputy Verona Murphy addressed the Dáil on Wednesday speaking on the Post Office Network motion submitted by the private members group.

Deputy Murphy said; “Last October, the Government was put on notice that if there was no movement on the post offices, we would revisit the issue, and here we are, which is disappointing to all concerned. This motion calls on the Government to introduce an interim solution that could be effective and deliverable from July 2021 to guarantee the current post office network and prevent any further closures.

“The post office sector is a vital piece of infrastructure to many rural and regional communities. Almost 950 post offices exist throughout Ireland. They vary in size and in the services they provide. In County Wexford, there are 52 post offices. I am in regular contact with people who run post offices, particularly in the areas of Fethard, Ballycullane, Ramsgrange, Campile, New Ross and many others. Clearly, the rural post office plays a crucial role in community life.

“Unfortunately, it is becoming more of a struggle for postmasters and postmistresses to make a sustainable living from their work. Post offices throughout Ireland provide a vital service to hundreds of communities and millions of people. Not only do they provide vital services, but they also provide a warm, helpful and friendly face for the people in the local community.

“As part of the Regional Group, I have called many times for post offices to be viewed as a one-stop-shop for engagement with State services. I know many State services can be dealt with via the post office, but there is still a long way to go and there are many more services that could be incorporated into the post office’s role.”

In reply, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton said; “I know Deputies raised the important matter of the post office network in October last year and the motion before us today recognises the views of the Members who participated in that debate. I noted at the time I agreed with many of the sentiments expressed by Deputies and the Government does not intend to oppose today’s motion from the Regional Group.

“The Government’s programme is clear and a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network.

“The Government’s objectives for An Post include harnessing the opportunities presented by e-commerce and the digital economy, capturing and retaining market share in parcels and delivering a sustainable nationwide post office network offering a range of e-commerce, financial and Government services.

“The deal agreed between An Post and postmasters in 2018 centred around a renewed vision of the post office network and a revised postmaster contract. There is an acceptance that new business lines were required, with a focus on financial and new government services, along with a capital investment plan for the renewal of existing offices.

“The agreement reached between An Post and the Irish Postmasters’ Union underpinned significant change and investment to redefine the post office network, including reducing the number of post offices, modernising the postmaster contract and updating the brand.

“I am pleased to advise Deputies that An Post reached an agreement with the Irish Postmasters Union in late June for an €8.5 million fund that will benefit all post offices over the next 18 months. Due to the improving financial position of the company, An Post will fund this programme from its own resources.

“I stress that the terms under which postmasters are contracted to An Post is a matter between postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly,” concluded Minister Naughton.