asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a telephone kiosk in Newtowncashel, County Longford which will be available on a 24-hour basis.

The position is that the use made of the call office telephone in the sub-post office at Newtowncashel is not sufficient to warrant provision of a kiosk in the area.

Is the Minister basing his opinion on any particular factor, such as the location of the post office there?

Certainly I am. There is a criterion applied to the provision of rural kiosks, which is that creditable revenue of about £250 per annum should be available. Creditable revenue in the call office telephone in Newtowncashel is not sufficient to provide the kiosk. It was only £64 in the 12 months ended 30th June. That is about 25p per day, which is far less than would be adequate to justify the provision of a kiosk, and people in other areas where the revenue is nearly sufficient to justify a kiosk would have entirely justifiable complaints if they were not provided with kiosks. However, a kiosk could be provided under guarantee by the local authority against loss in its provision and maintenance, and if there is strong demand for that, I suggest it be taken up with the local authority.