If we can pay for tribunals, why not An Post?

WE hear of the high costs of tribunals which have been going on for seven years.

The pay of a tribunal barrister for three days is more than an old-age pensioner receives in a full year.

I mention this just to give some perspective to an issue of real importance An Post and its shortage of money.

An Post provides a basic service to the community.

If it is losing money, why can't it be subsidised like the many other essential community services that by their nature could not be expected to operate as commercial enterprises?

If the taxpayer is asked to pay for the running of largely wasteful tribunals, I am sure the same taxpayer would be happy to see an essential community service like An Post being subsidised to make good any shortfall in its income.

Fr Pat Griffin,

Waterville,

Co Kerry.