asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has any plans to improve the quality of the dialling tone; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am not aware of any difficulties with the new dialling tone which is in line with international recommendations. If the Deputy has a particular problem or a particular exchange in mind, I will have the matter examined if he gives me details.

I am not referring to problems vis-á-vis the dialling tone as such. I am referring to the quality of the tone which I think is offensive to the eardrums. Has the Minister any intention of improving that quality to make it somewhat more acceptable to the telephone user?

The Minister is going to put music into the ears of the people of Donegal.

If the Deputy does not mind my saying so, I have heard more offensive things on the telephone. It has been decided to internationalise the tone. This is the tone used internationally and that is the reason the Department changed over to the new tone.