asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what telephone development is planned for south Kerry over the next five years.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
64.
During the next five years it is planned to convert Dingle, Farranfore, Kenmare, Killorglin and Sneem exchanges to automatic working and to complete trunk cabling schemes for the Kenmare, Sneem, Killarney, Headford, Rathmore, Ballinskelligs, Ballyferriter and Ballydavid areas. A Tralee-Cork radio link which will carry long-distance calls to and from south Kerry will also be brought into service.
The Killarney automatic exchange will be extended and additional switchboards will be provided as required at various other exchanges.
Six additional telephone kiosks will be provided during the next 12 months under the current kiosk programme. The kiosk programme for the following years has not been settled.
How does the Minister interpret south Kerry when he talks about Dingle being in south Kerry?
If Deputy O'Donovan knew anything about Kerry he would readily realise that Dingle is in south Kerry.
It is in the constituency of south Kerry but it is not in south Kerry.
How does the Deputy know?
I have been there as many times as the Minister has.
The Deputy has not.
65.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the very unsatisfactory telephone service in north-east Galway, particularly in the Tuam area; and if he will take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.
Telephone calls to and from north-east Galway are routed on two aerial cables between Galway and a point some four miles from Tuam and thence by underground cable to Tuam.
A good deal of trouble has been experienced on this route in recent times because of faults on the older of the two aerial cables and corrosion of the underground cable. Arrangements have been made to replace the aerial cable and to renew the underground section but because of the amount of work involved it is likely that this work will take about six months to complete. In the interim everything possible will be done to maintain a satisfactory service with the existing cables.
Has this work commenced yet?
It has not started yet but everything possible is being done to ensure that a satisfactory service will be given on these lines. Work will start on improvement measures in a very short time.
The Minister is aware of the need to improve the service in the area, but would he not agree that the dial telephone system which has been installed here and in many other places is an antiquated system and when there is a fair number of telephones in an area the system is not capable of dealing with the number of calls made?
I do not agree.
Is the Minister aware that last year one could dial the telephone exchange in Galway and spend an hour waiting for a reply? In most cases it was engaged all the time. Representations have been made to the Minister about this.
I understand that there have been difficulties in recent times. We are about to commence some measures which will clear up the difficulties in these areas. I am not aware that the telephone service in that area is as bad as Deputy Donnellan makes it out to be.
Would the Minister ensure that this work is commenced as soon as possible?
I do not think it is necessary to repeat myself.