National community group Muintir na Tire has issued a policy document calling on the Government to radically re-develop the rural post office network.
The document aims to halt the decline in rural post offices, which began last summer when a Government report suggested that up to 800 unprofitable rural post offices be amalgamated with retail services or established as Government services outlets.
Spokesperson for the group Mr JJ Bunyan said Muintir na Tire represented "the ordinary consumer in rural Ireland who has not had a voice in a debate that directly affects their daily lives".
He said the policy document published today hoped to transform rural post offices into technology resource centres that would deliver information technology services to rural communities.
The document suggests locating Internet-access points, banking and ATM services, tourism support, FÁS services and e-Government services - which would provide driving licences, social security benefits and health payments online - in post offices around the country.
Mr Bunyan said it was important that "essential services" such as information technology be provided in rural communities to "ensure they are not left behind in the technology revolution".