asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that a number of residents in the Straffan, County Kildare, Postal District are desirous of having a party telephone connection established in that town, and if he will state the minimum number of subscribers required for such purposes.

Verbal application for a party line telephone circuit was made to the Postmaster of Naas some time ago, but when the probable cost of the service connection with Celbridge Exchange was explained to the applicants the matter was dropped. A canvass is now being made in the district, and if sufficient support is forthcoming to warrant an exchange at Straffan it will probably be possible to offer the applicants a party line at reduced rentals.

The minimum number of subscribers to a party line connection is three, but the amount of the rental would depend upon the length of the line from the exchange.

Arising out of the answer would the Minister at an early date be able to give, for the benefit of possible subscribers, an idea of what it would cost per person?