asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is now in a position to state when telephonic communication will be established between the islands of Cape Clear and Sherkin, County Cork, and the mainland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Communication Between Cork Islands and Mainland.
Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands, County Cork, are included in the general scheme for island communication services which is at present under consideration. I am not yet able to say when a decision can be arrived at, but I am hopeful that it will not be much longer delayed.
Would the Minister say when the general scheme first came up for consideration? As far as we are aware, we have been getting this reply for the last six years.
At the present moment, experiments are being carried out with the wireless method of transmitting messages, but the method has not yet been fully tested. When that method and the cable form of communication have been fully tested, a decision will be arrived at as to which is the more suitable.