asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the urgent need and demand for a post office at Knockdown, Athea, County Limerick, and the serious inconvenience being caused to the people of this area due to the lack of post office facilities; and, if so, if he will take steps to have the position remedied as soon as possible.

The amount of postal business likely to be transacted would not justify the cost of establishing and maintaining a sub-post office at Knockdown.

In any event, owing to the necessity for making the Post Office services as a whole operate with the minimum of loss, no new post offices are being opened in areas where the population has not significantly increased. In the present case, the installation of a coin box telephone by some individual would provide a useful amenity. A merchant has been granted a stamp licence and a letter box exists.