asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the present position in relation to the installation of telephones in Greenhills housing estate, Drogheda, County Louth.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth Telephones.
17.
I regret that there has been no change in the position as set out in my reply to a Question by the Deputy on 25th April last. The installation of telephones in this estate cannot be undertaken until the wayleave difficulties have been resolved.
Is the Minister not aware that Drogheda Corporation are prepared to accommodate him in relation to what he calls wayleaves? This is a residential estate. There are very well laid out parks and the road had to be put down. They are awaiting underground cables and the Minister's Department has held up the whole affair.
Drogheda Corporation require the Department to give an indemnity against all claims arising out of or in the course of carrying out this work. The Department are prepared to accept responsibility for claims arising during the period of reinstatement of the road. This is usually carried out by the local authority and it would be by the Drogheda Corporation in this case. It would be unreasonable to expect that the Department would be liable for any injuries in respect of part completion of the work. It is on that question there is a period of delay.
Could the Minister not do the fair thing and say "I will agree"? Then it can be done. Does the Minister realise that there are doctors and veterinary surgeons there who have not got telephones?
I could not agree to claims arising after the reinstatement of the road.
Surely the road was torn up because your cables were being put under it.
We are willing to pay the claims arising while the road is being replaced but not after the road has been replaced.
I will see what the Drogheda Corporation have to say.