asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the undue delay in providing telephones for applicants in the city and county of Kilkenny, in view of the installation charge of £10 and payment in advance of from three to five years' rental charge in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I do not accept that there has been undue delay in providing service to the 20 applicants in the area in question from whom advance rental has been obtained. Some of the applications in the county in volved heavy construction work and wayleaves. It is hoped to have the 20 cases concerned cleared in the next few weeks.