The threat to the post office network seems existential. But shouldn’t a nation that’s tied so much of its identity with parishes and villages be doing more to save them?

The postmasters have argued that additional services could safeguard the system. They say the 960-strong network needs €15m a year of support over the next five years. That’s about €15,600 per post office. That’s just over half the annual salary of somebody earning minimum wage and working a 40-hour week.

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