asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applications in his Department for the installation of telephones from the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, and the average time taken in this area between the date of application for a telephone and the date of installation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Applications.
30.
There are about 720 applicants awaiting service in this area at present and arrangements are being made to provide service to 430 of these. The average waiting period which cannot readily be ascertained precisely is about seven months.
On a point of order, we have on the Order Paper questions directed to 16 different Departments and here, on the Front Bench, I find there are only six Departments represented.
That is not a point of order.
Could we not have at least the Ministers responsible for answering for their Departments?
(Interruptions.)
May I have an answer? There is another Minister leaving the House now. Is there any respect for the House? Ring the bell and bring them in.
Question No. 31.
I take exception to this procedure.
A Deputy
Where are the members of the Deputy's Front Bench? Where are the shadow Ministers?
We are asking the questions, not answering them.
31.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of persons awaiting the installation of telephones in South Tipperary and West Waterford; how long these applicants have been awaiting telephone service; how many of these persons have been asked to pay deposits; and the amount of these deposits.
There are about 230 waiting applicants in this area of whom 60 applied in 1965 and 170 in 1966.
I assume that the payments in advance to which the Deputy is referring consist of the advance rental and connection charges normally collected. About 50 persons have paid such charges to an amount of £1,400. New subscribers also pay a small deposit, usually £1 10s for residence subscribers, in respect of calls, but this is not collected in advance.