asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will give special consideration to a proposal to erect a telephone kiosk at Knockeenahone near Scartaglen, Kerry, which is an isolated area with a population of 500 and no telephone service whatsoever.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Facilities.
15.
A kiosk at Knockeenahone is not warranted.
16.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that the only telephone in the thickly populated area of Ballahantourig, near Scartaglen, Kerry, was out of order for a period of three weeks recently; the cause of the damage to this line; and the reason for the delay in having it repaired.
The telephone in question was reported to be out of order on the 16th January and service was restored on the 30th January. The cable carrying the wires servicing telephones in the Scartaglen area was damaged by lightning at Castleisland. Repairs necessitated replacement of a section of this cable and required specialist staff to do it. Owing to widespread storm damage to telephone plant in the Cork and Kerry areas at the time it was not possible to undertake repairs sooner.
17.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will now consider the provision of a public telephone kiosk for Dromahane village, Cork.
It is expected that the kiosk planned for Dromahane will be erected in the course of the next few weeks.
18.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will have a public telephone kiosk erected at Ohill cross roads, Mohill, Leitrim.
A telephone kiosk is not warranted at Ohill Cross.
There is no telephone nearer than four miles from this particular area and I would ask the Minister to reconsider this because it is essential, I think, in a rural area that people should be provided with telephones.
I understand that Ohill is about 2½ miles and not four miles from Gorvagh and Eslinbridge post offices. The sub-postmasters conduct shops and the telephone service is available up to 7 p.m. Emergency calls are facilitated at all times so the position is not really so bad.
It is not so good either.