Automatic telephone service in Manorhamilton
The Minister said Manorhamilton’s automatic service was expected in about three years, explaining that exchanges were being converted according to a planned priority system. MacSharry stressed the area’s public services and development needs; the Minister said this was the earliest feasible timing and defended international communications investment as beneficial to business and employment.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when an automatic telephone service will be provided in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim.
Comment on this
It is expected that automatic telephone service will be provided at Manorhamilton in about three years.
Comment on this
Manorhamilton is only one of some hundreds of exchanges which are still to be converted to automatic working. Conversions are being done on a systematic planned basis. As far as is possible those exchanges which will serve the greatest number of subscribers are attended to first. Manorhamilton is one of a group of exchanges in this general area which are now at the advanced planning stage. An order for the exchange equipment will probably be placed later this year. The priority being given to Manorhamilton, which has 185 subscribers' lines, is a priority warranted.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that the North Western Health Board offices, covering the whole of the North West region, are situated there, that the hospital is situated there, and that there are factories and new advance factories waiting for clients to occupy them, and that the reason for the delay in people coming to Manorhamilton is the telephone service there?
Comment on this
I have given the Deputy the information he sought, that the automatic telephone service will be provided at Manorhamilton in about three years. I am afraid that is as soon as it can be done.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that people in that area are far more concerned about having automatic services in places like Manorhamilton than they are about ringing direct to Bangkok, Australia or other places?
Comment on this
The Deputy's statement is rather demagogic. The reason for improving our international communications service is to benefit business, and therefore employment and prosperity here, and not for frivolous purposes.
