asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the cause of the delay in providing a sub-post office in the Ballinlough area, Cork City.

In reply to a similar question on 1st March last, I said that it was necessary to defer the provision of a sub-post office in the Ballinlough area pending the completion of the building programme in the district in order that the most suitable site might be determined. The building development has not progressed to the stage which would make a decision possible but the matter is being kept under review.

Can the Minister say what set of circumstances compelled him to change his decision, made in March, 1955, to set up a post office in this area, which decision was presumably based on the population of the area on that occasion?

The Deputy is not correct in his assumption. The decision was taken in principle to set up a post office, subject to the extension of building in the area.