Change is one of the few certainties in life. As society has become more urbanised, mechanised and computerised the post office network has struggled to survive. In 2001, there were 1,900 post offices. Today, many rural offices have closed and the total number has fallen to 1,147. For towns and villages, however, the post office still provides an essential high street function, resisting out-of-town shopping centres and encouraging consumer footfall.

Maintaining the commercial health of town centres has become increasingly difficult because of issues involving parking, costs and economies of scale. The retention of post offices in such locations can help. But new services and initiatives will be required to create a viable service. A report commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union found the introduction of e-payments by the Department of Social Protection could cause the closure of more than one-third of existing post offices while the situation would be worse if An Post lost its social welfare contract. Well, An Post won the social welfare contract but plans for e-payments by Social Protection are proceeding.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has offered conditional reassurances to the Dáil. The Government had "no plans" to shut post offices, he said, but there was "no point in expecting the world to stand still while An Post remained committed to over-the-counter business". There was a need to develop electronic activity as well as traditional financial services. He suggested that credit unions – which are also under pressure – might join with An Post in offering a standard bank account.

The Government will also conduct an assessment of the services An Post can provide for central and local government and the wider public service through the post office network. That initiative hints at political window dressing. Mr Rabbitte said he does not want to see a single post office close “unless there is a compelling case”. At this stage, more is required than a benign regard.