asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when he will have a telephone installed for an applicant (name and address supplied).

Owing to the work position in the area, particularly in respect of trunk circuiting awaiting provision, it will not be possible to carry out this installation for a considerable time. It is intended to offer services during the current financial year to all pre-1964 applicants and to as many later applicants as possible, but at the present stage I am unable to say when this particular application and the others received last year will be cleared.

Is the Minister aware that the application has been in for 18 months?

The information I have here is that an underground cable has to be put down before this applicant can be served.

Agreed, but at the same time the applicant has been waiting 18 months for a telephone, and this is 1965.

There is a large number of other applicants waiting also.

Shame on you that there is.

The whole trunk work within the State was waiting to be brought up to date also.

Did the Minister say he was dealing with all pre-1964 applicants this year? This is a pre-1964 application.

They will all be dealt with this year.

Will this one be dealt with this year?

Yes.

51.

andMr. Booth asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of outstanding applications for telephones in the Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown constituency; and when it is anticipated that they will be dealt with.

The number is 725. Provision of service for over 100 of these is in hands. It is hoped to offer service to about two-thirds of the remainder during this financial year.