asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (a) the number of applications for telephones received during the years 1949 and 1950 from residents in County Wicklow, (b) the number of applications attended to, and (c) when all the 1949 and 1950 applicants will have received their installations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Facilities in County Wicklow.
The information requested is as follows: (a) 408, (b) 367, (c) probably in 1952.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state on what date telephone service was provided at Lugalla Lodge, County Wicklow; the total cost of the installation, and the proportion of the cost borne by the subscriber.
Telephone service was provided at Lugalla Lodge on the 1st November, 1951, having been promised in December, 1950. As regards the remainder of the question, the Deputy will be aware that a subscriber is not required to pay any part of the normal cost of installing a telephone; it is borne in full by the Department.
The rental terms, etc., applied in the present case were in accordance with the regulations. As to the giving of details, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous questions of the 15th November, 1951. I have furnished him with the particulars then sought, which include the cost of the installation.
I can understand the Minister's reluctance to give the information but the public is already aware of the position. There is a post office over 11 miles away from this particular house and there is not another house to be connected because there are only a few small cottages in between. This particular party has got this phone while doctors are waiting, some of them for a transfer. We all understand the reason why this particular person has become a subscriber.
The allegation in the Deputy's statement is a very serious one. The actual fact is that priorities are dealt with as speedily as possible and this particular person received a service that was promised two years ago and the Deputy's remarks therefore do not apply.
Surely a doctor ought to have priority over an individual with a fleet of motor cars at her disposal if she wants to get into communication with the local people. You will not develop the rural areas by giving a telephone to one person 11 miles away from a post office.
Question No. 44.
Would the Minister say if this telephone is going to the house of Lady Oranmore and Browne?(Interruptions.)
Question No. 44.
Before the next question is taken, I would like to remark that it was my predecessor who promised this service.
I deny that. If any official in the Department gave that promise he acted contrary to my wishes.
The Deputy was nevertheless responsible as Minister.
And that official should not be left in the position.
Question No. 44.
The last Minister put in four or five lines in my area to one individual.(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 44.
Surely some notice ought to be taken of the very offensive remarks passed by Deputy Flanagan.
Deputy Flanagan's remarks are quite true and I stand over them. I will give the House more information if the House wants it.
If Deputy Flanagan continues to interrupt he will have to give notice to the House from outside the House.
I was invited to give the details.(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 44.