asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate (i) how often representatives of his Department met a special sub-committee of the Cork Corporation to arrange the order of priority in the erection of telephone kiosks; (ii) the dates of such meetings, and (iii) why his Department arranges for the erection of kiosks outside the county borough by consultations with a special sub-committee of the Cork Corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Telephone Kiosks.
One meeting on the 20th May, 1947, was held so far with the special sub-committee of the Cork Corporation, and the sites for the six kiosks erected in the county borough area during this financial year were selected on that occasion.
The special sub-committee of the Cork Corporation is not consulted as regards kiosks to be erected outside the county borough.
It is proposed to consult the local development associations in addition to the responsible local authority when sites for kiosks in the suburban areas are being selected.
Has the Minister not given numerous replies in this House and to the development associations? I have one reply here in connection with the Model Farm Road district which I was asked to bring forward by the Bishopstown Development Association.
Letters may not be read at Question Time.
It explains that the telephone kiosks in Cork are arranged in consultation with a special sub-committee of the Cork Corporation. The same reply was given to Deputy Lynch when he was inquiring about a telephone kiosk in Ballinlough, which is far outside the county borough.
Mr. Murphy
Not very far outside it.
It is outside the county borough, anyway. The only occasion on which the special sub-committee met a representative of the Department, Mr. Jackson, they agreed to have six kiosks. He told them that they were putting two in Patrick Street. The special sub-committee of the corporation suggested that only one be put in Patrick Street, another one at Phair's Cross and one at May-field.
Has the Deputy a question to ask?
I want to ask why this was not done. This is a matter that is causing a lot of talk in Cork.
There is a lot of talk in Cork but there is a greater amount of work being done now than was done in the last 16 years.
What about putting telephones in the post offices?
I am quite prepared to consult the local people and associations on all matters.
I have here the minutes of the Cork Corporation. The corporation suggested only one kiosk in Patrick Street.
I am not responsible to the Cork Corporation.
They did not want the arrangement made by the Minister for two kiosks when they asked for only one. He would not put them where they were wanted.