The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) will hold a protest at the GPO next Tuesday to show that they will resist any Post Office closures driven by An Post. 

The IPU is calling on the Government to intervene on An Post stalling on a €56m post office plan. 

The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) have also demanded the immediate publication and implementation of the completed Post Office Network plan Chaired by Bobby Kerr.

An Post’s Group Chief Executive, David McRedmond, has said that the company wants to stall any decision on planning for future of the Post Office Network until at least next May.

They said they are working on a separate Post Office strategy of its own, and they've signaled the potential for significant Post Office closures.

Today General Secretary of the IPU, Ned O’Hara said the IPU was completely opposed to the approach being taken by An Post and would oppose any closures driven by the company.

Commercial mandate

Mr O’Hara said An Post should not be allowed to now ignore this work and a do ‘solo run’ on the future of the Network and the fate of rural communities, while focusing on its commercial targets.

He said "The IPU does not accept An Post’s position of abandoning the vast amount of work done over the last two years and developing its own new plan.

"This is ignoring Government, unfair to Postmasters, damaging to the Network – and not representative of community concerns.

"An Post cannot now be left alone to place its commercial mandate ahead of the social needs of communities.

He finished by saying "Postmasters are calling on Communications Minister Denis Naughton and the Government to intervene immediately."

The IPU said that the protest will take place outside the GPO on O’Connell Street, Dublin at 11am next Tuesday, March 14th.