Independent MEP Marian Harkin has described as mature and realistic the call by the Barnaderg Post Office Action Group for every member of the local community to fully utilise the services of the local Post Office in the coming year.

Welcoming the decision by An Post that services will continue for the coming year she fully endorsed the Action Groups’ statement which highlighted the need for everybody in the area to fully support the services provided.

She said:-  “Those of us who actively sought the retention of services at Barnaderg Post Office were fully aware that if the level of business transacted there remained at its present level that it was going to be very difficult to make a realistic case for its retention.  

“The positive outcome to the campaign reflects great credit on the Action Group and on the community which responded so actively to the campaign.  This is a good example of how a community, working together with public representatives, can successfully advocate a case and secure a successful outcome.  The State must now play its part in ensuring that post offices, like Barnaderg, can achieve a viable turnover and in this regard existing and, where possible, new state services should be channelled through the post office system.  I am now hopeful that a similar arrangement cab be made for Cappataggle Post Office”, Independent MEP Marian Harkin concluded.