asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the new telephone exchanges or extensions to the existing exchanges will be in service in the following areas in County Cork: Quaker Road, Douglas, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Dennehy's Cross, Glenbrook, Riverstick and Crosshaven; and the number of additional subscribers to be served by those during the current year.

As the answer is in tabular form I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to circulate it with the Official Report:

The Minister deserves to be congratulated on the information he is giving us today.

Has the Deputy a question?

Would the Minister be prepared to consider the use of new technology in order to help the engineers in Cork, among whom he has engendered such enthusiasm, by way of subscriber carrier systems which would be of benefit in areas where there may be a shortage of cabling?

By agreement with the IPOU we are using in most places the new subscriber carrier lines which range from two to 70 extra telephones and we are getting a much higher quantity than that from the two wires leading into one exchange. A trial run in Galway city in this respect is proving tremendously successful.

I doubt that.

It is hoped to extend the idea throughout the country.

I think I should second the proposal of Deputy Cogan in regard to congratulating the Minister.

23.