asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that the binding of the telephone directories issued in October last is of such a poor quality that the majority of directories so issued have since fallen asunder; and if he will take steps to improve the quality of the binding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Binding of Telephone Directories.
9.
Mr. Ryan
I am not aware that the position is as suggested in the Deputy's question. The number of requests for replacement of directories by subscribers, which is the best indication of how the directory is standing up to frequent use, is only a fraction of 1 per cent. of the number of directories issued. Replacements, I should add, are provided free of charge. In the circumstances I do not propose to take the action suggested.
Is the Minister aware that the average citizen will struggle along with a directory in tatters for quite a considerable time before he goes to the trouble of carrying the tatters to the post office and getting a new directory? Is he further aware that we are all nearly blind trying to read the blooming directory?
That is a different point.
I agree it is.
The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs has already said that in the new issues the printing is being reviewed.
Might I suggest, inasmuch as the type is being reviewed, the Minister might also review the binding? Perhaps the Minister for Transport and Power would inform his colleague, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, that a good many of us are long-suffering possessors of tattered directories, with which we are making do, but, in future, we would prefer a rather more durable article.