asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why a special bookmaker's telephone line, which was sought by an applicant (name and address supplied) in time for the Grand National, was not installed, and despite various appeals was not installed in time for the Irish Sweeps Derby, with consequent considerable financial loss and inconvenience to the applicant, notwithstanding the fact that a very small amount of structural work was involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bookmaker's Telephone.
100.
The line applied for involves provision of an extension off a telephone circuit rented by a subscriber other than the applicant, and because of this a certain amount of inquiry was necessary before arrangements could be made to provide service. It is expected that the extension will be provided within a few weeks.
Can the Minister say why this man was so inconvenienced in his business for so long just because an inquiry had to be made? If the inquiry had been made, the answer would have been "Yes" within five minutes.
It is not a very great delay. The matter arose in March last.
It involved only a couple of hours' work between March and now.
There was the question of an application for an ordinary subscriber's line, as well.