asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the dates of completion of automatic exchanges at Finea and Lough Gowna, County Cavan; and when an automatic service will be available.

: It is expected that the exchange buildings at Finea and Loch Gowna will be completed by the end of May and that conversion of both exchanges will take place about the end of this year.

: Would the Minister care to comment on the length of time between the completion of the exchanges and the commencement of automatic service? I am anxious to invite him down there when it is ready.

: They will be completed about the end of May. The conversion of both exchanges will take place about the end of the year. Does the Deputy want me to be more specific than that?

: What I want to know is why, in two small exchanges, it should take seven months between their completion and the installation of equipment?

: It is no slower than ever it was, if that answers the Deputy.

: Why should it take seven months to instal the equipment?

: I would hope to change that practice while I am in this Department, that certainly there would be some change——

: Would the Minister not agree that technology is one aspect in respect of which rapid strides have been made? Or does he know, or can he indicate——

: Order. I am calling Question No. 35.

35.