asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the postal delivery in the Abbeyfeale district is seriously hampering the following creameries in the sale of their butter, viz., Athea, Brosna, Fealebridge, Knocknagoshel, Meenahila, Mount Collins, and Knockchapel; whether their letters are being delivered since last October to them at noon on a day later than was previously the case, and whether he will have the old deliveries restored in those districts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS ORAL ANSWERS. - ABBEYFEALE POSTAL DELIVERY.
The delay in the postal deliveries in the Abbeyfeale district is due to the absence of suitable train services. The Great Southern and Western Railway Company have, however, given notice of their intention to provide an early morning train to Abbeyfeale within the next few weeks, and arrangements are being made for a corresponding improvement in the mail services to take place simultaneously.
Satisfactory delivery arrangements are in operation in the Athea area, which is served from Ardagh, and is not affected by the position at Abbeyfeale.
Mr. HOGAN
Would the Minister take into consideration the question of improving the delivery of the English mails? In that area there is a turnover of £160,000 a year for butter. A letter posted in England on Monday is not received in Newcastle-West until Wednesday or Thursday. It is very hard to do business with such a service.
I am aware that there are certain disabilities consequent on the present mail arrangements as far as creameries are concerned, but, as I explained to the Deputy on a previous occasion, I would rather deal with the subject by the extension of telephones rather than the wasteful and costly medium of the post. However, I am prepared to discuss the matter with the Deputy.
Mr. HOGAN
May I draw the attention of the Postmaster-General to the fact that all the creameries have sent in applications to the Post Office for telephonic communication, and as the season is now practically in they offered to do a great portion of the manual work, such as putting down the poles. However, the matter has not got any further since I asked the previous question.
I am afraid the responsibility is not solely mine. To some extent I think it could be switched on to another Department.