asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is proposed to have an automatic telephone exchange operating in all districts of South West Cork.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
177.
It is expected that the principal manual exchange in the area, Bantry, will be converted in the second half of 1981 and that the whole area will be automatic within about two years from now.
178.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the delay in the provision of a telephone service for a person (details supplied) in South West Cork; and when he will have the service provided.
There has been no avoidable delay in the provision of service. It was applied for last October and is expected to be provided by the end of next month.
179.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when his Department will restore the only public telephone kiosk in Killeigh village, County Offaly, which was knocked down by a lorry over 12 months ago.
It is expected that it will be replaced within the next month or so.
180.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reasons why the telephone cable between Dublin and Letterkenny/Lifford which services almost all of County Donegal is so often out of order; and the steps he proposes to take to ensure that subscribers in County Donegal are not isolated because of faulty cables from making national and international calls.
A new microwave system linking Dublin, Sligo and Letterkenny is at present in course of installation. It should be in service early next year. When it is available the cable will be overhauled and increased in capacity. There will then be alternative routing for calls in the event of the link or the cable being out of service.
Interruptions of service on the cable have been due to a number of causes including technical faults, damage by road contractors, flooding and so on and the need for major overhaul of the cable. This has not been and will not be practicable until it can be taken out of service for a period on provision of the new microwave system.