asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why there was a delay of two hours in telephone calls to Wales on the evening of 5th July last.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trunk Call Delays.
52.
Mr. Ryan
The delay on the evening in question was due to heavy traffic at Dublin exchange.
53.
Mr. Costello
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what is the cause of the delay in trunk calls from the City of Dublin; whether it is possible to remedy these delays; and if he proposes to take any steps to remedy them.
The delays referred to are due mainly to congestion on trunk routes. The work of providing additional circuits on most of the main routes is in hands and is being pressed forward with all possible speed.
54.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of telephone lines between Dublin and London, and the number of calls made between Dublin and London from 7 p.m. on 7th July last to 2 a.m. on 8th July last.
The number of lines is 149. The number of calls from Dublin numbers to London numbers or to other numbers via London during the period in question was 244. No details are available concerning the volume of calls from London to Dublin.
If there are 149 lines and 244 calls in the seven hour period referred to and assuming a corresponding volume of calls originating in London, you will get approximately 500 calls on 149 lines. Should that give rise to protracted delay?
There can be delay in getting the called number to answer.
What is the reason for the delay on internal trunk lines?
That is a separate question.
You cannot get through from here to the General Post Office.
Is it not a fact that the entire telephone system has entirely collapsed?
That is a different matter.
(Interruptions.)
55.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why a Dublin subscriber who booked a call to London (details supplied) at 8.30 p.m. on 7th July last was not put through to the London number until 1 a.m. on the following day.
The exchange records show that the call was attempted on five occasions on two of which no reply was obtainable from the called number. On two further occasions the caller cancelled the booking on being advised that there would be delay in connecting the call. On the final attempt, the call was connected without delay.