asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the remedies, if any, which exist for a telephone subscriber who has a complaint regarding the accuracy of his telephone account; and if he will introduce an arbitration procedure to determine any dispute that arises between telephone subscribers and his Department regarding the debits on accounts.

78.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of widespread complaints about the telephone billing procedures of his Department and that subscribers' telephones have been disconnected or subscribers threatened with disconnection while their queries remain unanswered; and if he will introduce a better and fairer system for dealing with complaints and queries.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 78 together.

I am not aware of widespread complaints about telephone billing procedures of my Department.

It may occasionally happen that subscribers are disconnected or threatened with disconnection when an account has been queried but such failures are rare.

Each complaint about a telephone account is judged on its merits and fully investigated, the meter and line equipment being tested, as necessary. Where there is any reason to believe that a subscriber is being overcharged an appropriate rebate is allowed.

Within the next three to six months, meters will be supplied on a sale or rental basis, to subscribers, who opt for them. These meters will enable subscribers to check on their meter call usage and to compare this with the call units included in their bills. This should enable any disputes that may arise to be resolved.

53.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the present position regarding plans to improve telephone and telex services to Inis Meán, Aran Islands, County Galway.

Automatic telephone working is scheduled to be introduced on Inish Meán towards the end of 1984. A telephone kiosk will be provided in April or May next year and telex service will be provided for an applicant about the same time.

59.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department will carry out a full investigation into the telephone bill submitted to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The matter has been settled by agreement with the person in question.

60.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department will carry out a full investigation into the delay in re-connecting the telephone of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A detailed investigation into the delay in re-connecting the telephone in question is being made. What has been established so far is that the delay was due partly to an error in my Department and partly to delay by the subscriber himself in paying his account.

61.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department will carry out a full investigation into the telephone bill of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The account in question has been discussed with the subscriber and agreement has been reached on the amount due.

64.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the revised date for the automation of Millstreet telephone exchange, County Cork.

It is now expected that Millstreet exchange will be converted to automatic working within the next four months. It was the intention to provide automatic service later this year but this is not now possible due to the heavy engineering works programme on hands in the Cork District.