asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why telephone accounts were not sent during the year 1970 to a subscriber (details supplied) in Kilkenny.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilkenny Telephone Account.
74.
The omission was due to a regrettable clerical error which is attributed to a misinterpretation of instructions received from the subscriber concerning another telephone installation rented by him. An explanation and an apology have been given to the subscriber.
Could the Minister ensure that, when such a mistake is made, a demand is not made on a subscriber for immediate payment, accompanied by a threat that the service will be cut off?
I understand this was the first time a mistake of this nature happened. It is considered very unlikely that there will be a recurrence.
The Minister will understand that mistakes may happen. It is unfortunate that subscribers should be told that, unless they pay up immediately, they will be out off, particularly when what happened was not their fault.
I have every sympathy with Deputy Pattison and I certainly hope that a case like this will not occur again.