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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 May 1962

Vol. 195 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Skibbereen Telephone Service.

39.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory nature of the telephone service in the Skibbereen district, County Cork, due to the excessive delay in securing calls; and, if so, if he will take steps to effect an improvement.

Because of shortage of trunk outlets the trunk service in the Skibbereen district is not satisfactory during busy periods. Plans for a new trunking system to serve this and other West Cork areas are formulated but on account of the magnitude of the work involved completion will take a considerable time. In the meantime everything practicable will be done to reduce delays to a minimum.

I assume from the reply that no immediate steps will be taken to provide a proper telephone service in the Skibbereen district?

It all depends upon the meaning one puts on the word "proper" in relation to the question the Deputy has asked me but every effort will be made by the Department to maintain the service as well as possible in the circumstances. There is a circuit out of commission because of road work in the area and that will be brought back into commission very soon. As I have already told the Deputy, the Post Office engineers will do everything they possibly can to give as efficient a service as possible in the circumstances until this major work is completed.

Do I understand from the Minister that it will take a considerable period?

Why should it take a considerable period? I am assuming from the Minister's reply that "considerable period" could mean a term of two, three or four year?

It could, yes.

The Deputy's Worst apprehensions are confirmed.

If the Deputy will let me explain a little further I will tell him the reason. The main trunk outlets from Skibbereen to Cork comprise six circuits; to Bantry, three circuits and to Clonakilty two circuits. To give a proper telephone service they would need 12 circuits to Cork, six circuits to Bantry and seven circuits to Clonakilty. That is the reason.

The Minister will agree that he was unable to provide a proper radio service in West Cork and now that it will take a considerable period to provide a proper telephone service there as well. Are we to be isolated and removed from the benefits available in every other part of the country?

Since I came into this office I have been doing everything I possibly could to provide services for the people in West Cork and in having the necessary moneys provided to enable the engineering branch to carry out the work.

You did not make a very good hand of that.

Will the Minister say why it will take a considerable period? Why not do this year what he says will take four or five years?

I have to take the whole country into consideration as well as West Cork.

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