Ellis calls on An Post to reconsider closure of Santry Post Office

 

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin North West has called on An Post and the Minister for Communications to reconsider the closure of the Santry Post Office. He asked that the large increase in population in the area over the last decade and the employment and services the office provided would not be overlooked. The deputy continued “I have written to An Post and submitted a Parliamentary Question on the closure. As a result of the closure of Santry Post office and the transfer of all transactions to Omni Post Office. This has been a huge blow to the people of Santry and its surrounding areas. There are many people living in these areas for many years and most of whom have availed of these local facilities all their lives. From an economic point of view this makes no sense as the footfall into Santry Post Office has always been very high to such an extent that 3 people were employed full time and 2 part-time. Cllr Anthony Connaghan a cosigner of the letter to An Post also commented; “As public representatives for the locality, the loss of these jobs and the impact on the lives of the customers who are almost all local residents is of major concern to us. If the location of the Post Office which has been in existence for nearly 90 years is a problem, there are other locations nearby which could be put to use. It is also important to point out the record of Santry Post Office has been second to none from a security point of view. New Estates have been built along Santry Avenue, in Santry Woods and along the Swords Road over the last number of years increasing the local population by thousands. Other more established estates such as Royal Oak, Santry Close, Santry Park, Oak Park, Turnapin, Magenta and others including a large business community and senior citizens complexes such as Domville now find themselves marginalised and having to travel a longer, unnecessary distance to access Postal Facilities in the Omni Shopping Centre. We, once again, appeal for a review of the decision and to re-open this badly needed facility in the locality and I strongly support the demands of the local people of the area,” 

Luas drivers must be rostered with safety in mind – Ellis

Dessie Ellis TD, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Transport has called on Luas operator Veolia to work with its employees to roster its driving staff with safe shift times. He made his comments in light of an expected ballot of Luas workers for industrial action this week.

The deputy continued;

“Luas Drivers are expected to vote on Industrial Action this week having rejected a Labour Court Recommendation. These drivers are asking for parity with other staff in jobs where safety is paramount and the alertness of workers is essential. Workers in similar fields recently received 23 extra rest days and maximum 8 hour shifts.

“Luas drivers currently work 9 hour shifts in what is a very stressful working environment with a need for caution and alertness.

“Veolia, who operate the Luas light rail claim they cannot afford to meet the 160+ drivers’ demands and have offered half the rest days (10) but will not reduce the shift times.

“This is not really good enough or even believable. Veolia have made a very large profit off the Luas operation and they cannot now say that safety is not worth this investment in their workers’ conditions.

“The nearly 80,000 people who use the Luas every day, spending around 45 million euros a year, deserve to be safe.”

ENDS