asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will arrange for the provision of a telephone cable from Dublin to Belfast as in the case of Cork in view of the long delays at present experienced during business hours with calls on the lines from Balbriggan and Drogheda to Dublin.

It is the intention to arrange for provision of a telephone cable from Dublin to Belfast, and it is hoped to begin laying the cable some time next year.

Will the Minister inform us whether he is likely to be able to do this soon, because schemes were under way to carry that work out a considerable time ago?

I have given Deputies the assurance that it will be commenced next year, not any sooner.