andMr. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the proposals he has to eliminate the very large backlog of applications for telephone service; and if he will make a comprehensive statement of whatever proposals exist for eliminating the lengthy waiting periods at present being experienced by applicants for telephone service.

: One of the primary objectives of the development plan prepared in connection with the Telephone Capital Act, 1977, which provides for investment of a further £350 million in the telephone system, is a progressive reduction in the backlog of applications and of waiting periods for service.

The programme provides for the recruitment of additional staff and for large-scale investment in buildings, exchange equipment, trunk and junction systems and local cabling. It also provides for increasing the connection rate from over 41,000 in 1977 to about 85,000 in 1982.

: In view of the fact that the Telephone Capital Bill was passed by this House last October, can the Minister indicate what progress has been made in the recruitment of additional staff?

: The Deputy is aware that there were problems related to industrial action which slowed the intake of staff. We are recruiting as many staff as possible. The Deputy can take it that we are moving as quickly as possible in regard to this matter. One of the problems at present is that the number of telephone applications has substantially increased.

: Is the Minister aware that people have been waiting six years for a telephone service? Perhaps the Minister would tell us the precise number of staff recruited since he came into office one year ago?

: The Deputy will be aware that there are certain problems in regard to dealing with particular applications. There are applications on hand for a number of years but these, as a rule, are ones which would involve abnormal construction work. We also have had the difficulties arising from industrial action. I hope we can proceed much more rapidly from now on.

: Could the Minister say if these interminable reviews, discussions, examinations and considerations which the Minister and other Ministers refer to and which presumably are taking place in some great review body in the sky are not being hindered by the fact that there are over 50,000 people at present unable to obtain a telephone and that the service which the Minister is presiding over——

: That is not a relevant question. No. 13. Would the Deputy please resume his seat?

: Why should I?

: Because the Chair asks you to do so and rules your question as irrelevant.

: I was asking——

: Will the Deputy resume his seat?

: I was asking——

: Is the Deputy going to resume his seat?

: I am not going to be threatened by you, a Cheann Comhairle, or by anybody else. If I were spoken to in a courteous manner and not treated like a dog——

: The Chair has ordered you to refrain from asking an irrelevant question and you have ignored the Chair.

: You did not let me finish; so, I suggest with respect, you could not know whether it was relevant or not.

: I am not going to be treated in that way by the Deputy.

: Ditto by the Ceann Comhairle.

: Will the Deputy please resume his seat?

: You will have four months of silence from now on which, presumably, is what you want.

: If the Deputy behaves properly he will get the same fair treatment as anyone else.

: I shall take no lessons from the Chair——

: If the Deputy threatens the Chair he will leave the House.

: Whatever about private subscribers, would the Minister not agree that a period of two years—nearly three years—for an industry such as the IPC industry in Carraroe is an excessively long time to wait for a telephone—a second telephone; they have one? That seems to be a very long time if one is to run an efficient industry. Does the Minister consider that three years is a reasonable time?

: I do not know the particulars of the case. The Deputy will be aware that industry is treated as a priority and if he gives me the particulars I shall see what can be done.

: I understand that of the present applicants for telephones something like half are graded as priority cases. How does the Department decide which of those priority cases get priority for installation of the service?

: I admit that the percentage of priority cases is very high. If it were very much higher perhaps we would not have priority at all. There are certain levels of priority, and doctors, industry and so on would have very high priority. I did not realise until I became Minister that the percentage of priority was as high as it is.

(Cavan-Monaghan): May I ask one very brief question? It is the only opportunity I shall get.

: Since the Deputy has approached the Chair in a courteous manner I am pleased to allow it.

: Now, now, a Cheann Comhairle!

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that it is impossible to dial Cavan town since before the postal strike? Notwithstanding that the strike is over it is still impossible to dial Cavan, and would he please do something about it?

: I am rather surprised at that—did the Deputy complain about it?

(Cavan-Monaghan): I did not, strangely, because I——

: If the Deputy had complained to me about it I could have looked into it. I have no particulars about Cavan town here.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister take this as a complaint and do something about it?

: I shall certainly look into it but I shall have to have the whole matter examined to see whether the telephone used by the Deputy might not be operating properly.

(Cavan-Monaghan): No, even from the House. If I dial 10, I am put through when I can get the exchange but we have an automatic system and it is impossible to dial direct.

: I shall certainly look into that.