asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the grave difficulty often experienced by members of the public trying to contact Garda Metropolitan Headquarters at Dublin Castle by telephone and the plans, if any, to rectify the situation.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have no evidence that grave difficulty is often experienced by members of the public in contacting Garda Metropolitan Headquarters at Dublin Castle by telephone. In fact a complaint made by Deputy Mitchell on 25 September last appears to be the only one received about the matter in the commissioner's office over the past two years, and the difficulties which the Deputy complained of on that occasion occurred in the week preceding the Papal visit when all Garda telephones were particularly busy. The Garda authorities are aware of course that, apart from any delays that might arise in circumstances outside the control of the Garda, some delay can arise at Garda switchboards, particularly during peak periods, but in general they consider that the available telephone facilities at Dublin Castle are reasonably adequate for current Garda needs.

On the other hand, it is recognised that, by reference to expected future needs improvements in the Garda telephone facilities in the Dublin Metropolitan Area are desirable and certain plans to secure such improvements are at present under examination in consultation with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. I am not in a position to say when a new or improved system may be installed, especially as certain problems about accommodation have to be solved apart from the matter of getting the new equipment.

I did not make a complaint and my inquiry arose from the difficulties I experienced personally in getting through to the Assistant Commissioner at Dublin Castle. I was told by his office and by other offices in Dublin Castle that there is a shortage of telephones there with the result that they have difficulties all the time in that regard. Can the Minister assure me that that is not so?

Can I assure the Deputy that what is not so?

Can the Minister assure me that there is not a shortage of telephones in the various sections at Dublin Castle?

I have given the Deputy the information supplied to me by the Garda Commissioner regarding the telephone situation at Dublin Castle and I have no reason to doubt that information.

The information I have given was that given to me by the various sections there.

The only complaint is one from the Deputy complaining about not being able to get through.

I inquired about the situation but did not complain.

I suppose the Pope is to blame for the difficulties.