asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has received an application to have a public telephone erected at Ballon, Co. Carlow, and, if so, if it is intended to take any steps in the matter, and if the private telephone at Ballon could not be converted into a public one.

I have received an application for the provision of a telephone call office at Ballon, Co. Carlow, and its establishment has been authorised. Before, however, the call office can be opened, a telephone trunk outlet from Tullow is necessary. The work involved in that connection is in hand, and it is anticipated that the call office at Ballon will be working early in the new year.