Could the Minister explain why one cannot get an answer to a telephone call to his Department? It is not because of an engaged line. Having dialled the number one can hear the telephone ringing but it is not being answered. I had four telephones ringing in his Department last week and one was answered after half-an-hour. They were not engaged.

This supplementary question is very far from the basic question. The problem is with the telephones. If the Deputy asks me I will get him detailed information about the telephone situation. I have said in the House previously that our only solution to the telephone problem is a completely new and much larger PABX system. That process is under way but it requires new cabling.

There is chaos in the Minister's Department.

The telephones were ringing.