asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why deliveries in the Dublin 2 area and particularly the Kildare Street-Baggot Street areas have recently been so delayed that the morning delivery has not been made before offices open.

The later deliveries have been due to heavy mails and some temporary difficulties in the new sorting office. Steps have been taken to restore the normal standard of delivery but it may be some little time before they are fully effective in all areas.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider it suitable that, even during these temporary difficulties, mail will not be delivered until 9.50 in the Kildare Street or Baggot Street areas?

No, I certainly do not.

Yesterday it was delivered at 9.50.

We seem to have an unprecedented rush of post at this particular stage. We are meeting with difficulties in delivering at the moment. The Deputy picks out yesterday. We are hoping that that situation will be corrected.

Yesterday was the worst. I thought that, by putting down the question a week ago, it might improve the situation.

We read in the editorial of today's Irish Press that Deputies who put down questions of this nature relating to their constituencies are wasting the time of Dáil Éireann.

The Minister is not responsible for the Irish Press.

But the Irish Press is responsible for the Minister.

The Deputy should be like me—never read the rag.

These questions are considered too petty for the Dáil.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that such delay arises from a state of utter confusion in the sorting office?

I do not agree that there is a state of utter confusion in the sorting office: that allegation is completely wrong. However, there is a re-adjustment problem. They have moved over from the other sorting office. It is taking time to get off the ground. There are teething problems with the mechanical equipment, as well.

With the approach of the Christmas season, would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate that adequate steps will be taken to ensure that there will not be utter confusion in the delivery of mail?

All possible steps are being taken to achieve a satisfactory standard of delivery service.

Is it not the real fact that the Government have transmitted their state of utter confusion to the sorting office? Yesterday, the Taoiseach said there was no review of the Second Programme. This morning, I received a request for comments in relation to it.

Obviously, the Deputy did not hear properly.

Is this the new sorting office which Senator Boland announced would be open in the immediate future 32 years ago?

This is a new sorting office which has been opened.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary give us his view on the Irish Press pronouncement?

It is necessary to put down questions and I shall have one or two to put down.

I would remind Deputies that there are 156 questions on the Order Paper.

We should not be asking these questions according to the Irish Press editorial.