asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a telephone application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin has not been met in view of the fact that he first applied in 1975 and that a further application was made in November 1980.

There is no trace of any application by the person named until January 1981. Service will be provided as soon as possible, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to do so for about a year.

How is it that the applicant has a receipt for his application which he made in 1975? He applied again in November 1980 and yet the Minister's office has an application only from January.

I request my colleague to supply a copy of the reference to my Department or directly to me.

I have done that twice. I sent photocopies to the Minister's predecessor. There was no proper examination of the file. The file should be carefully examined because there is something wrong. The man has an acknowledgment for an application which he made in 1975 and was fobbed off by the Minister's predecessor in 1981.

I assure the Deputy that I will deal with this matter personally and ensure that it is investigated and sorted out.

35.