asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs his Department's proposals for automatic telephone service in the Newcastle-west, Abbeyfeale, Rathkeale and Listowel exchange areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
28.
The Commissioners of Public Works expect the exchange building at Listowel to be completed shortly. The automatic exchanges to be installed there and at Abbeyfeale, Ballybunion and Tarbert will be dependent for trunk service on trunk switching equipment in the new Listowel exchange; these are expected to be completed in late 1977. Progress on provision of automatic service in the Rathkeale and Newcastle West areas will be dependent upon the installation of trunk switching equipment at Rathkeale where an exchange building is required. On the basis of a recent forecast by the Commissioners of Public Works for completion of a building at Rathkeale, it is expected that Rathkeale and Newcastle West manual exchanges will be converted to automatic working in 3 to 4 years' time.
29.
Mr. Kitt
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when Athenry, County Galway, will be provided with an automatic telephone exchange.
Difficulties have been encountered by the Commissioners of Public Works on the site acquired for the erection of an exchange at Athenry. Provided these are satisfactorily resolved, the commissioners would expect to have the building completed within a year in which even conversion to automatic working should be possible in about three years from now.