'Executive must make better use of postal service'

The UUP man said that the postal service is vital to communities across the Province, but warned that under-use threatens its very existence.

Mr Kinahan has urged all departments within the Stormont Executive to work with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to explore ways in which they can make better use of the postal network.

“The Post Office network is a vital service which, if not used, will be lost. There is a clear issue of under-use, and it is the Executive’s responsibility to look at how this can be addressed.

“It is clearly worth looking at the Post Office as a viable option for accessing government services, at both national and local level, particularly given its geographical reach and high levels of trust. Indeed, banking services and the extension of bill paying capacity would enable Northern Ireland’s Post Office network to remain a key part of the social and economic glue which binds local communities and economies together,” Mr Kinahan commented.