Licence Fiasco

Editorial

Licence Fiasco

We complained when we had to queue at the motor tax office for half an hour or so to have our driving licence renewed but how bad was that?

Sunday, 3 November 2013
1:40 PM GMT



We complained when we had to queue at the motor tax office for half an hour or so to have our driving licence renewed but how bad was that, considering the new fiasco? If we can agree that changes had to be made, surely the An Post route was the obvious answer?

We have heard so much lip service from ministers over the past number of years regarding the importance of our rural post offices. A few short months ago, Minister Rabbitte was stressing to the Seanad, the important role the post office serves as 'a social hub for local communities' and how 'Government acknowledges the desirability of channelling more Government business through the network'.

Here was the perfect opportunity to give An Post outlets around the country a major boost and make the business of licence renewal more accessible for the public. But no - they seem hell bent on making life even more difficult, particularly for those in rural Ireland.

This new set-up which has kicked off this week, will see some people having to travel up to 100km to renew their licence in one of just 34 centres around the country while An Post was able to offer the service of 130 centres, 90% of them they claim, within a 20km radius.

This Government seems to have the uncanny knack of taking your bag of sweets, then give you one back and expect you to believe that they are giving you a better deal!

Lip service and hot air - the standard concoction!



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