asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that there is no telephone service in Mount Temple. Westmeath, and that the people of the district are very anxious to have a call-office established there, and whether steps will be taken to have the extension made.

The opening of a call-office at Mount Temple would involve the erection of nearly three miles of new pole route and double wire at considerable capital cost, while the estimated revenue would fall far short of the annual expense of maintaining the service. The opening of a call-office would not, therefore, be warranted, but I will be prepared to reconsider the matter if and when the circumstances change.

I am sure the Minister is aware there is a Gárda Síochána barracks there and the Gárdaí have no means of ready communication with outside barracks. Surely it is necessary the telephone should be installed there, even for the purpose of facilitating the Gárdaí?