asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the farmers, ratepayers, and residents of Moate, Ballinakill (Leix) protesting against the proposed alteration in the postal delivery in the area, and whether, in view of the facts stated in the memorial, he will give an assurance that it is not now proposed to interfere with existing postal deliveries.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALLINAKILL (LEIX) POSTAL SERVICE.
I have received the memorial referred to. The postal services in the Ballinakill area are maintained at a substantial loss to the revenue, and, in conformity with the scheme of retrenchment which is being applied generally in such cases, delivery is now restricted to three days a week in the purely rural parts. A week-day delivery in Ballinakill village will be maintained, and residents in the rural area can obtain correspondence on non-post days by calling at the sub-office. I have given the matter careful consideration, but I regret that it is not possible to authorise the restoration of the former frequency.