asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is only one telephone line to the Artificial Insemination Office at North Quay, Drogheda; that farmers often find it impossible to get through; and if he will see that a second telephone line is installed there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drogheda AI Office Telephone.
74.
I am informed that following an application some time ago by the Dublin District Milk Board a second telephone line will shortly be installed at Drogheda AI Office.
Is the Minister aware that at times farmers have been delayed for half a day before they could get through to this office? Will he see to it, through his colleague, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs— whom we hope will be a little less disastrous than his predecessor—that the second line is installed immediately because it is absolutely necessary?
Apparently, one of the difficulties is that there is a very heavy demand on this telephone service between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. If we could persuade farmers-perhaps the Deputy would use his good offices in this regard—to avail of the telephone service earlier——
Will the Minister arrange for the cows to come into season before that?
The service is available from 8 a.m. onwards. If we could get more farmers to avail of it outside the peak period, it would help to solve the problem. However, I am assured that the extra telephone line will be installed in a few weeks.
This is a service that should have absolute priority. Will the Minister not agree that the normal thing for any farmer to do is to make that call when he is delivering his milk, having milked his cows?
Even when the cows come around, they cannot make it before that.
It is a bit naive to suggest that all the cows come around between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. only.
They are noticed in the morning at milking time and the farmer makes the phone call afterwards. The Minister's telephone system is a disaster and he knows it.
This is the Santry cow.
Raheny.
The Raheny cow.