asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is proposed to restore the letter box at or near Meenmore National School, Dungloe, County Donegal, which was removed for repairs some months ago; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dungloe (Donegal) Letter Box.
19.
It is not intended to restore this letter box near Meenmore national school. It will be removed to a point about behalf a mile away on the main road where it will benefit a greater number of people.
Would the Minister say when the decision was taken?
I have not got the exact information here but a decision was taken on the recommendation of the Department——
When?
After the box was maliciously damaged.
Was the decision taken a month ago?
It could have been.
And published in the local papers?
I have not got——
Is the Minister aware that a petition, signed by 60 people, that the box be left in its original position has been submitted?
I am not so aware.
Is he further aware that only one person sought to have the box sited in the new position and that this box is being sited in the new position solely for the purpose of political patronage, or, rather, in lieu of it?
I can inform the Deputy that the decision was taken before any representations were made in the matter at all. It was made on the recommendation of the Department and the Department considers that the new position is the better position for a letter box. The only representations I received were from two local people —I do not want to mention their names—and from a local Deputy, but the three representations were received by me some time after the decision had been taken to replace the letter box at the point I have indicated.
Is the Minister aware that it was published in the local papers that as a result of representations by Deputy Breslin, a decision had been taken to site this box in the new position? That was published some months ago.
I am not responsible for what appears in the newspapers.
But surely the Minister must have conveyed his decision to Deputy Breslin?
I informed Deputy Breslin—I am speaking from memory —that the decision had already been taken.
In addition to this political patronage, will the Minister also facilitate the public by placing another box in the position in which the original box was sited?
I am facilitating the public and I am acting——
Will the Minister restore the box?
I am facilitating the public and I am acting on information I have from the Department——
Will the Minister act on the advice of the public?
I am acting on the advice of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs who are competent to give it.