(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the amount of money outstanding on arrears of telephone accounts for the years 1974 and 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Account Arrears.
14.
Arrears of telephone accounts are not recorded on a year of issue basis. The amount outstanding on 31st December, 1974 in respect of all telephone accounts issued which were overdue on that date was £2,464,000. The corresponding figure for 31st December, 1975 is not yet available but is estimated at £3.1 million.
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister agree that this astronomical amount of arrears is in some way due to the fact that the increase in telephone charges is so great?
The best answer I can provide is to cite the figures for 1970, £3.5 million, and for 1971, £4,233 million. If the present figure is astronomical I do not know which adjective could be lavished on the figure while the Deputy's party were in power.