Tipperary TD calls for action to bring major town's derelict post office back into use

Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has called for the Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to ensure the vacant post office building in Thurles is brought back into use.

The Tipperary TD told the Dáil it was “unacceptable” that a semi-State building is lying vacant.

“An Post closed its post office on Liberty Square in the town almost six years ago and relocated it to a nearby shopping centre,” Deputy Cahill said. “That building has now been idle for years.

"The Government has invested hugely in Liberty Square through the urban regeneration fund.

“It is completely unacceptable that a semi-State body like An Post would leave a building like this in a pivotal part of the centre of town idle.

“I urge the Minister to put pressure on An Post to get a commercial outlet in this premises as soon as possible as it is really dampening the commercial prospects of the centre of town.

“After the huge amount of money we have spent on the square, it is really downgrading it to have this main building in the town lying idle.”

Minister Eamon Ryan, who was taking questions on Promised Legislation, said he would raise the matter with An Post to find out why the building has been unused.

“We do not want State buildings lying vacant," Minister Ryan said. "I absolutely accept the Deputy’s point. I will raise it directly with the company myself.”