asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will devise a system whereby towns provided with automatic telephone exchanges will continue to be listed under their individual names in the telephone directory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Listing of Automatic Telephone Exchanges.
31.
I am afraid that this would not be practicable. The automatic system can handle digits only and in fully automatic conditions exchange names will have no significance and will not be used. It will be some time before we reach that stage but we are working towards it now by reducing the number of exchange names according as the automatic system is extended.
Surely it is within the competence of the Department to achieve what is suggested in the question? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that what we are looking for in West Cork towns is similar to what has been given to towns such as Ballincollig, Kinsale and Midleton where the telephones are operated from the Cork exchange but still retain their identity? Surely the Parliamentatry Secretary can do for Clonakilty, Dunmanway and Skibbereen what has been done in these other places, as this book proves? What is the difference?
The exchange which prompts this question has been opened today and the matter is being dealt with by the Minister.
I am dealing with the question in the House and——
If I get a chance——
I have asked the Minister a question which is being answered by the Parliamentary Secretary and that raises the obligation to reply to supplementary questions. We are delighted to have this exchange and I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for it, but surely we can get over this difficulty and do for Clonakilty, Dunmanway and Skibbereen what has been done in the case of Ballincollig, Midleton and Kinsale? I cannot understand what the difference is. Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this is something that cannot be easily overcome?
That is exactly what I am trying to get in to say, that this is something which cannot be easily overcome. We have 1,100 exchanges in the national network and we envisage grouping them into 120 groups. The Deputy has brought in the Telephone Directory to the House and he can imagine if we have 1,100 exchanges in the front of that Directory similar to the ones he was talking about, how puzzling the Telephone Directory would prove to be. We are trying to work out 120 exchanges. As soon as the telephone service becomes fully automatic, it will all be worked through digits without reference to exchange names.
These towns operate through the exchange but preserve their identity in the phone book.
The Deputy said all that before.
(Interruptions.)
I would be raising this on the Adjournment but for the fact that there is something else for the Adjournment.
Question No. 32.
What is the difference——
I have called Question No. 32.
What is the difference——
The Deputy will resume his seat. I have called Question No. 32.
With all due respect, I am asking a supplementary question which I am entitled to ask as a Member of the House. I think the Parliamentary Secretary is only too willing to answer it if he is given a chance by the Chair. We have too much interference by the Chair. As I said before, I would be raising it on the Adjournment and I would keep you here half an hour longer tonight.
I cannot help the Deputy's opinions.