asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why a telephone kiosk has not been erected in Currow, County Kerry, even though it was sanctioned some months ago.

A kiosk at Currow is included in the programme for the current financial year. It is expected that it will be erected within the next three months.

132.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will provide a telephone kiosk at The Mills, Ballyvourney, Macroom, County Cork, for the convenience of local residents

Provision of a kiosk at The Mills, Ballyvourney, would not be warranted at present but it is likely that one will be provided towards the end of the five year programme for more rapid extension of kiosk facilities in rural areas.

133.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is proposed to provide telephone facilities for the people of Barna, near Dunkerrin, County Offaly; and if it is intended to provide a telephone kiosk or coin box in this area in the near future.

Provision of kiosks in areas such as Barna, where there is no post office, is not envisaged under the extended kiosk programme for rural areas.

134.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a public telephone kiosk erected at Kilkea Cross, Castledermot where there are 34 houses containing large families in the area, who have no way of getting either religious or medical assistance in the event of emergency.

Provision of kiosks in areas such as Kilkea Cross, where there is no post office, is not envisaged under the extended kiosk programme for rural areas.

135.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will have a telephone kiosk erected at Castletown, Navan, County Meath.

Provision of a kiosk at Castletown is not warranted at present but it is likely that one will be provided there within the next five years under the extended kiosk programme for rural areas.

136.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will have a telephone kiosk provided at Glencullen, County Dublin.

Provision of kiosks in areas such as Glencullen, where there is no post office, is not envisaged under the extended kiosk programme for rural areas.

In other words, is the Minister saying that rural areas which require this type of service more than any other area will be refused it because it is not an economic service?

No.

That has been said here for years.

Nonsense.

No, the Deputy has taken me up wrongly. A kiosk will be provided in a rural area where it is established that sufficient use will be made of it.

That is it. That is the same thing, is it not? It must be an economic service for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs before a kiosk will be provided.

It is not a bad idea.

It is not a bad idea for the Government but it is a very poor idea for people in rural Ireland.

Is it not a social service?

Of course it is a social service. If the Minister was looking for a doctor in the middle of the night he would decide it was a social service.

Where would you find a doctor in the middle of the night?