asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applications for telephones outstanding in (a) County Longford and (b) County Westmeath; and when applicants may expect installation.

The number of waiting applications at telephone exchanges in County Longford is about 190 and in County Westmeath about 360. Of these, about 30 at County Longford exchanges and about 110 at County Westmeath exchanges are receiving attention at present. It is expected that the large majority of the remainder will have attention progressively over the next 12 months or so.

21.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether anything can be done to improve the present unsatisfactory telephone service in Counties Longford and Westmeath.

Some additional trunk circuits between Longford and Mullingar were brought into service recently. Further circuits on this route and between Athlone and Dublin will be provided early next year. Additional trunk circuits on routes within both counties will be provided in the first half of 1974. If the Deputy has any particular problem in mind I will be glad to have it specially investigated if he will let me have details. Service in the area is, of course, affected by general pressure on the automatic system and in the Dublin network in particular.