asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that telephone service at Cappoquin is considered by many local subscribers to be rather unsatisfactory; and if he will institute inquiries and seek to have the service improved.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
139.
Delays in obtaining telephone calls are being experienced by Cappoquin subscribers at certain times because the number of trunk circuits between Cappoquin and Dungarvan and between Dungarvan and Waterford is inadequate for the volume of traffic. Substantial improvement will be effected in about three months' time when a new co-axial cable which has been provided between Dungarvan and Waterford is brought into service and on completion of another trunk cable between Dungarvan and Cappoquin towards the end of the year delays to calls from Cappoquin exchange should be eliminated.
140.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the delays and bad reception in the telephone service in rural Ireland; and if he can take any steps to bring this service up to date and to make it more effective.
In general the quality of the telephone service in rural areas is good and serious delay to telephone calls occurs in few areas. I can assure the Deputy that where the service is not fully satisfactory the necessary improvement schemes are already in hands or planned. For instance, in the case of Gorey exchange, new co-axial trunk cables between Gorey and Arklow and between Gorey and Enniscorthy have been laid and are currently being brought into service. These cables will give better transmission and eliminate delays on calls from Gorey.