asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that there are very considerable delays in the telephone service between Drogheda and Dublin; that in most business hours it is quite impossible to use the automatic dialling system; and that there seems to be extremely heavy pressure on the girls manually making connections at Drogheda telephone exchange; and what expansion he has in mind to correct this grave inconvenience to the Drogheda business community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drogheda-Dublin Telephone Service.
16.
I am aware that delays are occurring on trunk calls between Drogheda and Dublin because of a shortage of trunk circuits. The equipment necessary to increase the number of circuits has recently been delivered and on completion of installation over the next few months it is expected that the delays now occurring will be eliminated. In the meantime adequate staffing to assist subscribers who encounter difficulties will be maintained.
Is the Minister aware that the position is so bad that it took me three-quarters of an hour to get a number in Drogheda from this House?
I am so aware.
I hope the Minister will improve the position.
I cannot do anything about it until the new equipment is installed. There was a large and long backlog of arrears, because of shortage of equipment for trunk circuits, to be made up over the past three years.