(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to route telephone calls direct from Dublin to Cootehill, County Cavan, and if he will provide an automatic telephone system for Cootehill.

(Dublin South-Central): Calls from Dublin are routed directly to Cootehill at present without the intervention of an operator at an intermediate point. It is expected that Cootehill exchange will be converted to automatic working in 1981.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that the telephone service in Cootehill is deplorable? It is virtually impossible for the local factories to carry on and for business people to do business.

(Dublin South-Central): I appreciate the Deputy's concern. Every effort is being made to have an automatic exchange implemented as soon as possible and 1981 is the earliest date it can be done.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Did the Minister say that Dublin calls are routed direct to Cootehill at the moment?

(Dublin South-Central): Yes.

(Cavan-Monaghan): My information is that they are routed through Dundalk. Are some or any of them routed through Dundalk?

(Dublin South-Central): Calls from Dublin are routed directly to Cootehill at present without the intervention of any operator at an intermediate point. That is the information I have.

(Cavan-Monaghan): My information is that they are routed through Dundalk. Perhaps some of them are and some of them are not. But, in view of the fact that the automatic system will not be in operation until 1981 at the earliest, would the Minister take some steps—whether it be putting on additional staff or otherwise—to improve the present service and bring it up to acceptable standards?

(Dublin South-Central): I will take note of the Deputy's request.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister do something about it other than taking note of it?