Postmasters and members of the public that they serve are to stage a protest today outside Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s constituency office in Castlebar.

The Irish Postmasters Union is calling on the Taoiseach for clarification on what action the Government will take to save 600 Post Offices, which they claim are under threat.

An Post is understood to be considering the closure of up to 600 post offices nationally, with the introduction of a new contract for postmasters which the IPU says would make it unviable for many offices to remain open.

Postmasters have also written to Communications Minister Denis Naughten, who has responsibility for the Post Office network, calling for an immediate meeting to find out what actions he intends to take.

The union wants the Government to enact the recommendations of a report by businessman Bobby Kerr, which recommends closing only 80 post offices to stem losses at An Post.

President of the Irish Postmasters Union, Co Roscommon-based postmaster Paddy McCann says they’re taking their protest to the Taoiseach’s office in Castlebar today to highlight the concern of postmasters and the communities they serve….