asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why it is so difficult to get a new business telephone in East Galway; and if he anticipates any improvement in the situation in the near future.

(Dublin South-Central): There is no undue difficulty generally in providing new business telephones in East Galway for applicants in priority categories. Abnormal delay may occur in some cases where there is unusually heavy construction work involved or the telephone is required in an area where there is a temporary shortage of exchange equipment.

Provision of mobile exchanges in Tuam and Ballinasloe later this year will result in a substantial improvement in these areas.

The basic reason why there is delay in providing telephones for applicants who are not in priority categories is that the Department's resources of plant and skilled manpower in East Galway as in the rest of the country have not yet been built up to the level required to overtake arrears and deal with current demand. The development programme prepared in connection with the Telephone Capital Act, 1977, which provides for investment of a further £350 million in the telephone service, should go a long way towards eliminating the delays that are being experienced at present.

: Would the Minister not consider that a substantial business premises should get priority? Would he not consider that a spare parts department which cannot be contacted unless it has a telephone is losing business? There is also a chemist with a private house where people want to ring up about prescriptions. These are three cases that have failed to get on the priority list in the town of Ballinasloe. They are not outside the town. This complaint was made five years ago. The position was the same before the Minister came into office and it has not improved.

: We cannot have a speech about telephones in Galway.

(Dublin South-Central): It is established practice in my Department where businesses that employ people are concerned to give every possible assistance with regard to installation of a telephone. This practice existed when my predecessor was in office.

: If the three names in question are supplied to the Minister will he reconsider the matter? They were not eligible for the priority list. One case is a big business premises, another is a chemist shop and the other person involved makes spare parts and cannot do business unless he has a telephone.

(Dublin South-Central): If it is a big business they will automatically qualify for inclusion on the list.

: They are not that big. I would point out that we have not very large businesses.

(Dublin South-Central): If the Deputy submits the names I will look into the matter.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Did not the manifesto state that the Government would do everything for the telephone system? Deputy Callanan does not seem to think that the situation is so good.

16.