asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a telephone service provided for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.

20.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a telephone service installed for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.

With the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.

It is expected that service will be provided to each of these applicants within the next few weeks or so.

Is the Minister aware that the pole work in connection with the application referred to in Question No. 19 was done six weeks ago? Is he aware that the applicant received a letter recently from the Department indicating that in view of the fact that work cannot be completed the Department were in a position to offer a refund of the money paid?

I accept that. We had a problem because of a shortage of a specific type of cable. We found it difficult to get that cable and we are sorry that situation arose but it was outside our control. Cartels deal with the supply of that cable. We have found some since and this is being used.

May I take it that the applicants referred to in Questions Nos. 19 and 20 will be facilitated by the end of March?

Yes, give or take a day or two.

But the Minister will try to have the service provided by the end of March?

The matter is being given immediate attention. I do not deal in probabilities and it is not fair to pin me down to a specific date. I will do my utmost to have the service provided as soon as is possible and I expect that to be within three to four weeks. The Deputy may take my word for that.

21.