Deputy Pearse Doherty has urged the local community in Dunlewey to get their submissions as part of the public consultation in relation to Dunlewey Post Office into An Post before the deadline for submissions closes this Friday.
Deputy Doherty has also welcomed correspondence from An Post in response to a Sinn Féin request in which the company has confirmed that it is willing to meet with the local community as part of the consultation process to discuss the future of the branch.
Deputy Doherty said “As everyone is well aware, An Post last month initiated a process of public consultation into post office services in Dunlewey following the decision by the current Post Mistress to step down from the role after having given more than two decades of service to the community.
“Immediately following An Post’s decision not to automatically place the branch contract out to tender, Cllr John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh and I called a public meeting where public representatives, local residents and business owners met to discuss the decision and to agree a co-ordinated community response.
“The local community have been fantastic in their actions to date and they have fully engaged in this process and have put forward a real and genuine argument as to why they believe that it’s important that the post office in Dunlewey remains open for business.”
He added that he understands that many local residents have already made their personal submissions to An Post in relation to the branch.
“As we approach the final few days of this process I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone who has yet to do so to complete their submissions and send them off to An Post for consideration before this Friday’s deadline.
“Submissions are to be made in writing, can be in either English or Irish, and should be posted and addressed to the Retail Operations Manager, An Post offices, Wine Street, Sligo.
“I am also happy to have it confirmed today that An Post has accepted a request made by Sinn Féin for the company to meet with the local community to discuss the fate of the branch prior to it making a final decision in respect of Dunlewey post office.
“I understand that An Post will shortly revert back to me in order to confirm a time and date for this meeting and I very much look forward to continue working with the local community to put forward a strong argument as to why this vital service ought to remain in Dunlewey.”
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