Dempsey urges postmasters to enter talks with An Post

Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey is calling on postmasters to use dialogue to address their concerns about the future of smaller post offices.

The Irish Postmasters Union is planning a demonstration in Dublin next week to highlight the pressures it says its members are facing.

It says many rural post offices will be forced to close because postmasters cannot afford to live on current wages and is calling on the Government to intervene in the situation.

However, Mr Dempsey said today that the union and An Post should sit down and hold talks on the matter.

He accused the IPU of refusing to enter talks on the recent deal between An Post and Fortis even though this would have seen them earn extra money.