asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the new telephone exchange in Sligo will come into operation; and if he will outline the benefits to the telephone service in the north west which will follow.
Written Answers. - Sligo Telephone Exchange.
632.
It had been intended to bring the new telephone exchange at Sligo into service on 23 June last but because of industrial action by local technical staff it was not possible to do so. Efforts to resolve the problem are continuing and the new exchange will be brought into service as soon as possible.
The new digital exchange at Sligo will be the main trunk switching centre for the north west providing an improved trunk service to all subscribers in the area. It will provide the facilities necessary for conversion to automatic working of manual exchanges in Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and North/East Roscommon including those at Carrick-on-Shannon, Boyle, Donegal, Ballymote, Tubbercurry and Manorhamilton.
It will also provide additional capacity for the connection of subscribers in Sligo itself and will cater for larger capacity auto exchanges at Collooney, Strandhill, Castlegarren, Cliffoney and other exchanges in the Sligo area.