asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make arrangements to have the telephone line extended from Thados Cross, Rockchapel, County Cork to Guineys Bridge, Brosna, County Kerry, a distance of approximately one mile, to facilitate the general public and avoid the long delays which are now experienced in contacting Abbeyfeale, County Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Telephone Call Delays.
55.
A direct telephone link between the areas in question would involve the provision of a new route between Rockchapel and Abbeyfeale and this would not be justified on the volume of traffic between the two areas.
Normally little or no delay is experienced in connecting calls between the Rockchapel and Abbeyfeale areas.
The Minister does not seem to be aware of the situation. In the north-western part of the constituency, they treat Abbeyfeale as their market town. At the moment, in order to get a telephone call to Abbeyfeale, it has to be routed 40 miles to Mallow, back to Charleville and then to Newcastle, a distance of about 100 miles, involving about two hours. It is a very bad service and I would ask the Minister to have another look at it.
My information is that the traffic on the line is very small and averages less than a call per day. The delays are not really serious.
Actually, they are calling every day for doctors and veterinary surgeons, apart from business. It is only one mile and yet the call has to go a distance of over 100 miles. The Minister should take another look at the matter.