asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when work will commence on the erection of the new post office telephone exchange in Fermoy, County Cork.

It is planned to have work on the new exchange undertaken in about a year or so. When the extension to the existing exchange at present in progress is completed, there will be adequate capacity to meet requirements for up to three years and the new exchange will not be needed until then.

Is it true that this work had been sanctioned by the previous Minister? Had the work been sanctioned——

I must confess I did not hear what the Deputy said—his voice is not carrying.

I have not been hearing what the Minister said. I understand that the work on this exchange had been sanctioned by the previous Government. My question was, when will the work be commenced?

(Limerick East): Could we have the translation service?

I do not think there is any need for that kind of statement.

49.