(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the amount of money outstanding on arrears of telephone accounts for the years 1974 and 1975.

Arrears of telephone accounts are not recorded on a year of issue basis. The amount outstanding on 31st December, 1974 in respect of all telephone accounts issued which were overdue on that date was £2,464,000. The corresponding figure for 31st December, 1975 is not yet available but is estimated at £3.1 million.

(Dublin Central): Would the Minister agree that this astronomical amount of arrears is in some way due to the fact that the increase in telephone charges is so great?

The best answer I can provide is to cite the figures for 1970, £3.5 million, and for 1971, £4,233 million. If the present figure is astronomical I do not know which adjective could be lavished on the figure while the Deputy's party were in power.