asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the poor quality of the binding of the telephone directory; and if he will ensure that the next issue of the directory will not disintegrate so easily.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Directory.
46.
The binding of the telephone directory has been found satisfactory and no complaints have been received.
Will the Minister not agree that practically every directory in a public booth in the country has already fallen to bits, although a new directory is not due for about six months?
Like the Government.
I do not think any change in the binding would obviate the damage to which the directory is subject in booths. The binding on the telephone directories was carefully considered before a decision was taken. The same binding is used in the United States. We replace directories in public booths whenever necessary. We even replace them free of charge for subscribers who make complaints, but such complaints are very few.
Would the Minister not agree that the telephone directories are falling to pieces? Even though they are falling to pieces in the United States, is that any reason why we should not get a decent directory here?
No binding could ever be devised to stand up to the abuse they get at times. The Deputy knows that.
The real answer is to divide the directory into two parts so that each part will not be so heavy as to break the binding. If the Minister did that, there would be no further trouble.
We have been trying to avoid that for years, but it will have to be done at some stage.