asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is satisfied that telephone circuits within and leading outside the country are sufficiently modernised to deal with the increased drain on the existent facilities, should this country join the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC: Telephone Circuit Facilities.
54.
Telephone circuits within the country and cross channel are reasonably adequate for existing traffic and measures are in train to add to them in anticipation of traffic growth. Telephone traffic from Ireland to continental countries is routed through London and is subject to the conditions obtaining on the various continental routes. The service given is generally satisfactory.
Would the Minister not agree that the telephone circuits within the country are at present not sufficient to allow him meet the many applicants for telephones in different parts of the State?
Since I became Minister, I have been taking all the steps open to me to increase the number of telephone circuits within the country and I shall continue to do so.
Would the Minister not consider trying to get a little more money out of the Government so that he can expand the service.
We propose to provide an extra £1 million for the telephone service in the coming year.
Remember, it is the taxpayers on this occasion. When the Minister for Social Welfare was speaking, it was the Government who were providing the money.
It is the same thing.