asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate (a) when it is hoped to have the automatic telephone service operational in Castlebar. County Mayo, and (b) when Achill and Westport are likely to link with the Castlebar service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Automatic Telephone Service.
122.
Tentative estimates are as follows: (a) late 1975 or early 1976: (b) about a year later.
In view of the fact that it will take a long time to have automatic services provided for the area in question, would the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to ask the Minister to help the local postmasters during the summer period by having some telephonists employed? The telephone situation is chaotic during the summer. I understand this has happened in other tourist areas and I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to request the Minister to consider this suggestion.
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.