Vol. 244 No. 11
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why the Department of Social Welfare could not be contacted by telephone on 27th January at any time between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. notwithstanding continuously repeated efforts to do so; if this is a normal occurrence; and when steps will be taken to ensure that Deputies are able to contact Government Departments by telephone with reasonable effort.
138.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why it was continuously impossible to contact the Department of Social Welfare by telephone between 2.35 p.m. and 5 p.m. on 27th January, 1970; if he is aware that this is a frequent occurrence; and what action it is proposed to take to have this matter remedied.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
The volume of telephone calls made to the Department of Social Welfare during the afternoon in question was such that all 20 exchange lines serving the private branch exchange in that Department were engaged simultaneously for prolonged periods. While this is not a normal occurrence it has been happening more frequently during recent weeks. An order was placed in May, 1969 for equipment to enable more exchange lines to be provided and for additional switchboards for the private branch exchange but it is not expected that this equipment will be ready for service until the end of this year. The possibility of providing direct telephone communication between the Dáil and Department of Social Welfare switchboards is receiving urgent consideration and I shall advise the Deputies of the outcome in due course.
What was peculiar about Tuesday 27th January? The Minister may not have the information.
I have not, in fact. It is pretty likely that there was an emergency meeting of some of the political parties here.
The Fianna Fáil Party, the biggest one?
There are no emergencies in that party.
It would take a big party to use up 20 lines.
