asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that on 12th June last between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. two Dublin subscribers, who phoned 10, each experienced waiting periods of over fifteen minutes before receiving a reply from the exchange; and why those subscribers experienced such delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Delays.
44.
Mr. Ryan
I have no information about the particular calls mentioned by the Deputy but on the date in question there was heavy pressure at Dublin exchange and operators were unable to attend promptly to all calling signals. As an indication of the increased pressure of traffic, I may mention that 324,000 trunk calls were successfully made through Dublin exchange last month as compared with 291,000 in May, 1962. These figures do not include calls dialled directly by subscribers which have increased in even greater proportion.
Would the Minister not consider giving publicity to the peak hours for trunk calls so that the public might co-operate with him in overcoming the present difficulties?
I think there is a question down about that.
I thought it was on the Order Paper today. Is it for tomorrow?
I think it is for answer tomorrow. I have not seen the question. I do not know whether it is tomorrow or next week.
Very well. We will wait.
45.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has received complaints or reports that there is a delay in the telephone trunk call service in Cork city, as a result of which subscribers are obliged to wait for a considerable period before they are put in contact with the local exchange, and subsequently with the other subscriber; if this delay is due to inadequacy of staff, equipment, or other ascertained reasons; and what steps are being taken to provide an efficient trunk call service for Cork city subscribers.
Telephone traffic has been exceptionally heavy in recent weeks and there has been serious congestion on most telephone routes. Operators generally experienced difficulty in disposing of traffic and as a result were unable to attend promptly to all calling signals.
Additional trunk lines being made available at Cork should considerably improve the service. Some of these lines are already working and the rest will be in service within a couple of days at most.
46.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reasons for the long delay in making telephone connection between Ballybunion, County Kerry, and Limerick, which arises at the Listowel exchange during the late night and early morning periods; and if he will take steps with a view to improving this service.
In the ordinary course there should be no delay in obtaining calls between Ballybunion and Limerick during the late night and early morning periods.
If the Deputy will furnish details of any difficulties experienced, I shall have the matter investigated.