Vol. 463 No. 6
102 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider making a free phone service available to the general public who require to make contact with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6957/96]
The question of making a free phone service available to the general public is reviewed from time to time by my Department but to date budgetary constraints have made it impossible to provide such a service on a regular basis. However, the Department has provided an issue related free phone service from time to time e.g. in the case of inquiries relative to the Maastricht Treaty and at the time of the Gulf War.
An interdepartmental group is at present examining the technical and financil aspects of establishing local call access to all Departments on a country wide basis. The Centre for Management and Organisational Development at the Department of Finance is also actively studying the question.
My Department will keep this matter under review, particularly in the light of the developments mentioned above.
