asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applications on hands for the installation of telephones in North Tipperary; the number of telephones installed since January, 1962; and when it is hoped to have all the others completed.
51.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary Telephone Applications.
50.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applications for telephone services at present on hands from persons resident in (a) Tipperary North and (b) Tipperary South; and when these applicants will be serviced.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together. There are about 140 and 240 applications from North and South Tipperary respectively. It is hoped to clear the bulk of them within the next 12 months. About 40 new telephones have been connected in North Tipperary this year.
Is the Minister aware that some of the applicants' names, addresses and phone numbers appear in the telephone directory even though they have not yet been provided with the service?
I am aware of that.
What happens when you ring the number that is not there?
The Deputy should try.
As a Deputy who represents a constituency where there are hundreds of applications for telephones, may I suggest that this is a new complication.
It is not a new complication. It has been the normal practice and you will find in the older directories that there are numbers at a time when the telephone was not connected.
What happens when you ring the telephone that is not there?
If the Deputy will put down that question, I will answer it.