An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-17
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Chris Andrews (SF), Labour Panel

I agree with Senator Keogan. It is important that more research is done and that there is more transparency around suicide and the impact of children being taken into State care.
I have previously raised the issue of Rathmines post office being sold off, as well as the closures in recent years of post offices on Baggot Street, Kevin Street and in Donnybrook and Ballsbridge. That has had a hugely negative impact on those communities, particularly among the older members. It was announced recently that Rathmines post office is likely to be on the market in the middle of next year. Yet, there is no plan for what is going to happen to this historic building. It is really important that it stays in public hands. Rathmines post office could and should be at the heart of the community. It a vibrant community. It is a unique part of Dublin. The building itself is in the community since 1934. It is an art deco building and a building that cannot be replaced. If it is allowed to be sold off to a private developer, it would be a huge loss. It is beyond me how we could sell off such a beautiful building that has so much potential. It must and should be kept in the ownership of the State and, by extension, in the ownership of the local community. When the post office transfers to a new location, the Government needs to ensure the property remains in public ownership by facilitating the transfer of ownership to Dublin City Council, which has been engaged on the issue. There are some proposals from local community activists and different community groups on what might go in this space. In the future it should be a central hub for Rathmines community. It could be the heart of cultural and community activities as a venue for events, meetings and clinics. There is so much potential for this building and it would be a massive loss to find it turned into a café or a hotel. We need to see ambitious, forward-thinking action taken by the State to ensure this property remains in public and community use, and that the long-term good of Rathmines is not left to chance on the market.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-17