asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the work of laying additional underground telephone cables in the Walkinstown area of Dublin will be completed to meet demands for telephones in that area; and if he will state the number of applicants awaiting telephones in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Walkinstown (Dublin) Telephone Service.
24.
Mr. Ryan
It is expected that the work in question will be completed in about four months. The number of outstanding applications in the area is 78 and service is currently being provided for 30 of these.
Mr. Ryan
Does the Minister recall that in May of this year he told the House that the work in the Walkinstown area would be completed in a few months?
Yes, I recall that.
Mr. Ryan
Since when has the definition of "few" become ten?
I recall that all right and I admit that what the Deputy has just stated is a fact. The primary reason for the delay was the need to divert the engineering personnel to more urgent work.
Mr. Ryan
Not wishing to criticise anything—the Minister has admitted he was wrong—I would ask the Minister would he not reconsider the relative urgency? There are many people in the Walkinstown area who have been awaiting 'phones for five or six years. Having regard to that would the Minister not revise his programme for Walkinstown?
In respect of the greater part of the built-up area in the Walkinstown exchange area the service is on demand, that is, a person can get a telephone on demand; that would be within a few months of the date of application and that applies to the greater part of the area. Out of the 78 outstanding applications, 30 are currently being supplied with telephones and the remainder will have attention when the underground cabling work is completed.
Mr. Ryan
Will the Minister undertake to look at the application I have been recommending for some three years now and ensure that that person will receive immediate attention, particularly having regard to the fact that the father of the family in question is in very delicate health and the family have many an occasion to communicate with the hospital? Is that not a case deserving priority?
I would prefer to look at any individual application to see what can be done.
Mr. Ryan
Thanks.