asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the North Roscommon area will have a fully automatic telephone service.

The information requested by the Deputies has been prepared in the form of a tabular statement which I propose circulating with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Note:—Forecasts for the provision of automatic service are based on the assumption that contract dates for buildings, equipment etc. are adhered to within reasonable limits.

Are all my replies to be given in tabular form? This is the third tabular statement I have been given.

I assure the Deputy there is no discrimination against him.

Surely the Minister can say whether the work is proceeding and whether it will be completed in 1982 or 1983.

The reply is too detailed.

I accept it is too detailed for the Minister.

It is not unusual for replies such as this to be circulated with the Official Report because of their tabular content. I am doing only what it has been the practice to do, and the Deputy has been long enough in the House to understand it.

42.