asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why it took from October, 1968, to July, 1969, to refund to a telephone subscriber the money due in respect of a temporary phone; and what steps will now be taken to make the telephone accounts branch more efficient.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Accounts.
142.
There was unfortunately abnormal delay because pressure of work arising from the revision of telephone charges coincided with an acute shortage of clerical assistants. As a result, telephone accounts work generally went into arrears. The vacancies have now been filled and there should be a substantial improvement in the position when the new staff have been fully trained.
The apology is accepted.
What apology?
I thought it was an apology. Is the Minister not apologising?
We accept there was abnormal delay.