(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of local public representatives on the waiting list for telephones; and the length of time they are on the list.

(Dublin South-Central): I regret that the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Records are not kept of the different categories of priority applications for telephones unattended to at any given time.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister accept that a number of local representatives have been on the waiting list for a long time? Will he put them on the priority list for immediate attention, having regard to the fact that they are rendering a valuable public service on a voluntary basis? They have not got free postage and they do not get travelling expenses to local authority offices unless they go there to attend meetings. Does he agree that the facility of telephones in their own houses would enable them to discharge their public duties more efficiently and with much less expense to them?

(Dublin South-Central): In a previous reply I said that they were offered a measure of priority.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Am I right in thinking they are far down the list?

(Dublin South-Central): That is true.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am asking the Minister to take them up to the top.

(Dublin South-Central): Of the 44,000 new telephones installed last year, about 15,000 were of a priority nature.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am asking the Minister to put local public representatives, many of whom are residing in rural areas, on the priority list so that they may be able to discharge their public duties efficiently and with much less expense to themselves.

(Dublin South-Central): I have already told the House that they are on a priority list.

(Cavan-Monaghan): They should be put on a top priority list.

(Dublin South-Central): The top priority list covers ambulances, fire brigades and doctors.

In view of the Minister's reply that approximately 50 per cent of last year's connections were priority cases, will he review the entire question of priority? Secondly, will he have regard to the fact that there are approximately 900 local representatives and 50 per cent of that number might be in the category referred to by Deputy Fitzpatrick? Will the Minister give the House an undertaking that, in order to give effect to the Fianna Fáil manifesto with regard to local government, special priority will be extended to the local public representatives who have not got telephone connections?

(Dublin South-Central): I have informed the Deputies already that they have a measure of priority. There are many important people and places who must get priority also—doctors, nurses, hospitals and Members of the Oireachtas.

A member of the Oireachtas has been trying to get a telephone connection since last December.

May I respectfully suggest to the Minister that the system of of priority that operates, and which he may have inherited, which accords priority to 50 per cent of last year's connections can hardly be described accurately as a priority system. We are simply asking him to review the entire system of priority and to create a realistic system in the real meaning of the word. In doing so, would he have regard to the 900 public representatives, some of whom are still awaiting a telephone service? That is all this side of the House is asking.

(Dublin South-Central): I can assure the Deputy that of the 20,000 telephones installed last year on a priority basis each one merited consideration. If we increase the list——

I do not wish to be contentious about this matter. I am simply saying to the Minister that any system of priority that can say that 50 per cent of the category warrant priority means that there is something wrong with the English language or else with the Department. I am not sure which is the case. Quite frankly, that kind of priority does not make sense to me.

(Cavan-Monaghan): When it is possible to give a Minister a telephone on the Blasket Islands within a few days, surely it should be possible to give a telephone to public representatives who are not paid for their work without waiting for a number of years, as is the case?

That is a question with an argument.

(Cavan-Monaghan): There is no argument about it. It is a fact.

Did I understand the Minister to say that he had not the information requested because there was no categorisation of applicants?

: A categorisation of applicants is made in the various exchanges, but my information is that it would be necessary to do research in 1,000 exchanges throughout the country to answer the question.

Will the Minister elaborate slightly on the matter of degree of priority? It is rather ludicrous in view of the fact that fewer people do not have priority as compared with those who have priority. Will the Minister state how the assessment is made?

(Dublin South-Central): It is assessed on the occupations they have.

Is the Minister aware that a Member of this House had a telephone installed in his house and he tried since last December to get it linked up but he cannot yet get a service? How does the Minister explain that position?

(Dublin South-Central): Is it the Deputy's own telephone?

I said it was a Member of this House. He is in this city but he cannot get the telephone connected.

(Dublin South-Central): There is no cable.

The former tenant had this service.

(Dublin South-Central): If the Deputy will let me have information I will look into the matter.

It has been in the Minister's Department for the past six months.

10.