asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if with reference to his statement on 19th May, 1960, that telegrams handed in after 8 p.m. are not delivered until after 8 a.m. next morning unless they are of a life and death nature, he will state how the Department determine whether a telegram is of such a nature; and whether any printed information is available to the public on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Delivery of Telegrams.
52.
Telegrams of the kind known as "life and death" messages are those relating to serious illness, impending death or other circumstances in which immediate delivery appears from the text to be obviously vital. The arrangement for the delivery of telegrams of this kind after normal hours in Dublin is an exceptional one which is not publicised, as there is, in strictness, no obligation to effect delivery of any telegram outside normal hours. It has been operated very satisfactorily on a liberal interpretation by the supervising officer on night duty in the Central Telegraph Office of what is a "life and death" message. I would be glad if the Deputy would let me have particulars of the telegram to which he has referred so that I may look into his complaint.
I am not complaining about the telegram that was sent to a party in London. I am complaining about the acknowledgment by the party in London who replied "Coming home." The reply arrived twelve hours later and the man who sent the telegram was there to collect it himself. The person who sent the telegram was anxious to know if the son was coming home. The telegraph service proved useless for that purpose. We complain of the loss of benefit of that service. A telegram should be sent in a "jiffy" whether coming or going. I shall give the Minister the telegram.
Obviously, the supervising officer can form an opinion on a "life or death" message only on the contents of the telegram.
A telegram should be a telegram.
Hear, hear.