andMr. Deasy asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of printed meter check machines or of any such similar apparatus in his Department; the exchanges at which such apparatus is based; and the purpose of such apparatus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Exchange Meter Apparatus.
19.
My Department currently have over 100 printed meter check machines, some of which are permanently available at large or medium-sized subscriber exchanges while others are transferred from exchange to exchange as required.
These machines are used primarily to help in resolving disputes involving claims by subscribers that they are being overcharged for metered calls but also in isolated instances to help in tracing nuisance or obscene calls. I should perhaps explain that these machines are not equipped to record conversations.
Could the Minister elaborate somewhat on the degree to which these machines are able to help in resolving disputes concerning bills or other queries and in relation to the trading of obscene phone calls? Is this process carried out by listening in on the line?
One cannot listen in on the line by using one of these machines. All one can do is monitor the numbers dialled on an instrument. There is no facility whatsoever for eavesdropping or telephone tapping. It is just a precautionary system which is used when people are in doubt about their accounts or where there are nuisance or obscene calls. They are very suitable machines for detecting such calls.
In all cases where these machines are utilised, is the subscriber forewarned?
If a subscriber questions his telephone bill this may be done with his consent. In the case of nuisance calls the system is used with the consent of the person who makes the report. Of course, it would not be known to the person making the call.
Is the Minister saying that in all cases where eavesdropping of any kind is undertaken——
There is no such thing as eavesdropping with this machine.
Is the subscriber forewarned in all cases where there is listening in on the line?
I want to emphasise again——
Yes or no.
—— that this machine is not capable of listening in on a line. It is a monitoring machine which registers by request the numbers dialled on a specific telephone.
Why has the Minister not chosen to deny that the possibility exists that some phone calls are being listened to without the prior consent of the subscriber or a proper warrant?
I want to say for the third time, since obviously it has not sunk in, that this is a monitoring machine which deals only with the numbers dialled on a telephone.
The Minister is acting thicker than he actually is.
I am not. The Deputy and his party are seeking publicity by making allegations and should be ashamed of themselves.
(Interruptions.)