asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the reasons for the delay in installing telephone facilities for a carrier and taxi owner at Upper Aghada, who applied for them seven months ago; further, if he is aware that lack of these facilities has caused grave inconvenience to the farming community in the district and if he will state when it is expected that the telephone will be installed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Facilities.
As regards the general causes of delay in installing telephones, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question by Deputy Alfred Byrne on 26th October, 1950.
Applications for telephones are dealt with systematically by exchange areas, this being the best way of giving service to the greatest number quickly. Whitegate exchange, to which this applicant's line would be connected, was dealt with early this year and its turn will not come again for at least another year.
I am not aware that lack of telephone facilities for the applicant in question has caused grave inconvenience to the farming community in his district.
Is the Minister aware that an applicant in that district who is starting one of those backsheesh hotels there, an Englishman who came to this country some six months ago, has already got a telephone installed by the Department? Is there a special freedom for the Masonic Order in his Department?
In the case of all applications that were in before the time of installation in the area, installation has been completed. The party that Deputy Corry is interested in has been in occupation for the last 20 years and did not make application until the staff had left the district.
He did not make application because, unfortunately, he did not want it then. Will the Minister tell me when did the other person I have referred to make application?
If the Deputy puts down a question, I will give him all the information.
All right. We will have another day before the holidays.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the reasons for the delay in the erection of a telephone kiosk in Rathdowney, County Laoighis, and when it is expected that this kiosk, for which there is a general demand, will be erected.
It was intimated to the Rathdowney and District Development Association last March that it was hoped to erect a telephone kiosk in Rathdowney during the following twelve months. This promise will be implemented.