asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the date on which he expects the new automatic telephone exchange at Dungarvan, County Waterford, to be in operation.

It is expected that Dungarvan exchange will be converted to automatic working in September or October next.

117.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why there is not an automatic telephone service in Ballymote and Tubbercurry, County Sligo; and if he will indicate when such a service will become available.

With the resources available it has not been possible to extend the automatic system to Ballymote and Tubbercurry or, indeed, to many larger centres.

The two exchanges in question are not included in current automatisation programmes but are included in plans for a follow-on programme. It is not possible at this stage to give reliable estimates of conversion dates.