asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has received any protests against the cost of cross-channel telephone calls; the length of time a caller must wait for a call; and if he will make a statement on these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Telephone Calls.
1.
I have received two protests against the increases in cross-channel calls. Our revised cross-channel charges are in general substantially lower than for calls in the reverse direction. The waiting period for cross-channel calls is normally not more than a few minutes. During busy periods it may be longer owing to conditions in our internal network.
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister say if he received a complaint from Carrick-on-Shannon with regard to delay there more so than in any other part of the country?
The question specifically concerns cross-channel calls. My Department received only two complaints and I am afraid I do not know whether they were from Carrick-on-Shannon. If the Deputy has information from Carrick-on-Shannon or other areas about undue delay and supplies the details I shall certainly make specific inquiries into the matter.
Would the Minister not agree there has been a falling off in these calls owing to the increased cost and that is one of the reasons why there is not much delay now, but there was delay before this?
I have no information about a falling off in cross-channel calls here. As I have pointed out, the increase on this side, which was not a matter of the budget but before that, has been less than that on the other side. For example, for a three-minute call, the ordinary day rate is 57.6 pence as against 81 pence for an equivalent call from Britain.
Is the Minister satisfied that the service on the far side is sufficient to deal with the traffic going through in a satisfactory manner?
I do not think I entirely understand the Deputy's question.
It is alleged there is difficulty because there is a hold-up on the far side.
I am informed there are very little delays on any calls at present either within the State, with Northern Ireland or cross-channel. Of course, the telephone service within the State was affected during a period by industrial action taken by some of the staff and for a while after that repair work was in progress. The western coaxial cable was without a service and this very seriously affected the service to and from the north-west, including cross-channel calls to and from these areas. The question the Deputy put may be prompted by delays experienced before that period.
It was before that.