asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) the number of applicants on the waiting list for telephones in the constituency of Cork South-West; and (b) the average length of time between date of application and telephone installation in this constituency.

(a) there are about 1,330 applications of which 180 are having attention; (b) this information is not readily available. However, the average waiting time to date for applications in the area at present on the waiting list is about ten months.

427.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, if he will favourably consider the linking of The Glenduff (Mitchelstown) County Cork area with Mitchelstown, rather than Ballyporeen, as suggested, since (1) there is already a link to the Mitchelstown area close to this; (2) Mitchelstown is the nearest town for shopping, schools, doctors, vets and the creamery; (3) the link closes at around 10 p.m. daily; and (4) the link to Ballyporeen is more expensive.

Ballyporeen telephone exchange is the nearest to Glenduff and, having regard to the layout and utilisation of existing plant, telephone service for applicants in the Glenduff area can be provided more economically from Ballyporeen than from Mitchelstown. It is not possible therefore to agree that the area should be served from Mitchelstown.