asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the strong criticism expressed at the recent meeting of the South Eastern Regional Development Organisation concerning the telephone service in the area; and if any major improvements are planned for this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
156.
The answer to the first part of the question is yes. Among the improvement schemes carried out, in hand and planned for the area are the following: the bringing into service this week of a new suite of manual switchboards at Clonmel, the conversion of Clonmel exchange to automatic working within two years, an extension to relieve overloading of Kilkenny exchange which is expected to be completed next month, a Clonmel-Waterford coaxial cable which is on order for completion next year, a Waterford-New Ross underground cable which is in the planning stage. Numerous other exchange and trunk improvement schemes are either ordered or planned.