Vol. 211 No. 3
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if in view of the delay experienced in summoning assistance to the scene of the fatal accident at Howth, Dublin, on Friday last he will consider providing a public telephone kiosk in the vicinity of Kilrock Road, or at an alternative point along the cliff walk which could be used for such an emergency.
25.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange for the installation of an urgently needed public telephone at Howth Head, Dublin, in view of the dangerous state of the coast line and the isolation of this place which is much frequented by visitors, and where several accidents have occurred in recent years.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 24 and 25 together. It has not been the function of the Post Office to provide public telephone kiosks for emergency purposes. Public telephone kiosks are provided by the Department only where the use likely to be made of them by the public generally warrants the expenditure entailed and it cannot therefore arrange to provide them at places—such as those referred to in the questions— where little regular use of them could be expected.
Surely similar bodies around the coast have indicated that other considerations should be taken into account than the simple one of economics. Surely the question of human life is the overriding consideration. Does the Minister not consider the time has arrived when there should be a comprehensive plan to provide telephone facilities near dangerous beaches which are frequented by large numbers of people, so that in the event of tragic fatalities such as that at Howth, there will be a means of getting in touch with life-saving and ambulance services?
I do not think it reasonable to expect that a kiosk should be provided everywhere danger exists. As I said, where large numbers of people are expected to congregate and where their use is likely to be extensive, kiosks may be provided.
Will that be considered?
Any suggested location will be considered on its merits.
