asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department will take steps to improve the telephone service in the Tuam area, County Galway dialling prefix 093; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: I am aware that there are problems at present regarding the quality of telephone service in the Tuam (093) area. It is expected that the service will be substantially improved in about three months' time, when the new digital trunk exchange at Mervue, Galway and a new radio link between Mervue and Tuam come into service.

: A good, big, long answer for that question.

: I did not hear the Deputy.

: I am very glad it is coming to me.

: It was a well articulated reply, well pronounced.

: Will we be able to ring the Minister now?

: I suppose Deputy Wilson did not want the service to improve, but to disimprove.

: Oh, no. That is very unfair, because Deputy Wilson and I are very concerned about the telephone service to the west.

: There are no western jokes, as far as the western TDs are concerned.

18.