South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Post Office cuts will devastate communities

Published: 1 April, 2008

East Belfast Sinn Féin representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has expressed his alarm at the proposed total closure of 42 Post Offices with a further 54 being moved to a part-time, mobile or 'shared' basis.

Mr Ó Donnghaile said:

"These plans threatening 96 Post Offices across the North and will potentially have a huge impact on 96 communities' right across the north."

"This is devastating news, particularly for an area like the Short Strand that already lacks vital postal facilities, either in the form of a Post Office or a Post-box. This is an issue I have been actively campaigning on and in conjunction with Post Watch I will continue to lobby on the need for adequate facilities not just in the Short Strand but throughout East Belfast."

"At a time when the population of East Belfast will see great growth with the development of Titanic Quarter and Sirocco Quays the proposed removal of facilities in the East of the City seems impractical."

"The consultation on this matter will run from April till May 12 and now is the time for local communities to come together to fight for the retention of their Post Offices."