asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state how many telephones have been installed since the 18th February, 1948, in (a) the City of Dublin; and (b) elsewhere, in comparison with the number of telephones provided during the same period last year under the same headings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Installation of Telephones.
During the period from 18th February to 31st October, 1948, 3,180 exchange lines were installed in the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire automatic exchange areas, and 2,230 elsewhere; during the corresponding period last year 810 exchange lines were installed in the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire automatic exchange areas and 720 elsewhere.
Does the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs suggest that there is any fair comparison between these figures? Is not he well aware that the equipment could not be procured prior to the 18th February? What he is doing is putting in the telephones that were procured by his predecessor.
Hear, hear!
What he is doing now is what his predecessor did not do.
Whatever Deputy MacEntee may say, the facts and figures speak for themselves.