asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that business firms experience unduly long delay in getting cross-Channel phone calls at normal cost; and, if so, if he will state if such long delays can be avoided without imposing the extra charge for prompt service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Telephone Calls.
Delays on cross-Channel calls in both directions have been unavoidable owing to shortage of circuits and such delays have been increased at times during the past ten days or so by circuit interruptions due to work in progress in providing additional circuits. I am glad to report, however, that as from Tuesday last the number of cross-Channel circuits has been substantially increased and there is now little or no delay on calls exchanged over this route. Work on the provision of further circuits to give a no-delay service at all times is continuing and the extra circuits are expected shortly.
Is the Minister aware that in addition to the circuits referred to the trunk circuits have now reacheda stage in which delay in many cases is considerable and when you do get through you are asked to restrict your calls and to get off the line as quickly as you can?
Is the Deputy referring to calls on the cross-Channel circuits?
No, I am referring generally to calls on the trunk lines.
This question refers to cross-Channel lines.
When the Deputy made this allegation before within an hour of his making the allegation we made a check on the 511 principal circuits in this country and it was found that for a period of 20 hours a delay of over half an hour was not experienced in more than 42 of them.
With a long-winded Deputy like Deputy Dillon a delay could be expected.
(Interruptions.)