asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the disruption of telephone services to hospitals and doctors, combined with the absence of even emergency service for many individuals, he will not personally intervene in the present dispute in the interest of public health.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telecommunications Dispute.
6.
I am deeply conscious of the importance of the telecommunications services to the community and I greatly regret the disruption caused by the present industrial action. Everything practicable is being done to maintain services, particularly emergency services, and it has been possible to do so in most instances.
I am naturally most concerned that this dispute should be ended at the earliest stage possible and I would refer the Deputy to my speeches in the Dáil on 5 April in which I outlined the efforts already made to bring the dispute to an end and suggested a further course of action to bring this about. I would like to emphasise again to the union concerned the inconvenience and hardship being caused to the community generally by the industrial action and appeal to the union executive to reconsider their position and to arrange a return to work.
I had difficulty in hearing the last part of the Minister's reply. Would he repeat it?
I am naturally most concerned that this dispute should be ended at the earliest stage possible and I would refer the Deputy to my speeches in the Dáil on 5 April in which I outlined the efforts already made to bring the dispute to an end and suggested a further course of action to bring this about. I would like to emphasise again to the union concerned the inconvenience and hardship being caused to the community generally by the industrial action and appeal to the union executive to reconsider their position and to arrange a return to work.
Are we to understand discussions regarding this matter are taking place today between the Minister and Congress?
Yes.
In view of that fact I do not propose pressing the matter unduly but I would emphasise that there are many people without emergency services. Contrary to the Minister's written reply last week, there are far more than three exchanges presently out of order. Very many people are unable to contact ambulance services, fire services and especially medical services. I would ask the Minister if he would take steps to ensure where whole exchanges are out of order some attempt will be made to provide emergency services. At least one-third of my constituency has been without any service for almost three weeks.
I am doing all I possibly can to try to end this industrial dispute.
Has the Minister's Department considered any order of priority in restoring lines to places like hospitals and so on?
That is a separate question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister think his colleague, the Minister for Labour, has been helpful?
May I have a reply to my question?
In view of what the Minister has said I would like to postpone Question No. 7 until tomorrow.
At the request of the Deputies tabling Questions Nos. 7 and 8 these questions are postponed until tomorrow.
Something is happening now and so I do not want to pursue the matter in any controversial manner except to say that we on this side of the House hope there will be a speedy resolution to the whole matter.
We hope the Minister will enter the discussions in a conciliatory manner.
Questions Nos. 7 and 8 postponed.