asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a telephone bill in the sum of £1,195.56 was forwarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 in respect of an account dated 5 May 1982 which related to an alleged usage of 15,786 units when the average number of telephone units used by this person over the preceeding 10 years was between 600 and 1,000 units; the reason the bill was addressed to a business (details supplied) when no such business operates from this address; the reason the telephone user was advised by his Department on 29 March 1983 that there are no good grounds for reducing the charge; and if a special investigation will be undertaken into this matter and an accurate bill forwarded to the person concerned.

The account in question covered the recorded user on the subscriber's meter. The bill which was issued by computer, was addressed to the subscriber by name, followed by an abbreviation of "Trading as Irish Supermarket Services". The subscriber was advised that there were no good grounds for reducing the charges because the meter and associated equipment were found to be in good order when checked.

However, I am having the matter further investigated in view of the unusually large increase in the recorded user and I shall communicate with the Deputy about the case.

The Minister is aware that the bill sent to the person concerned in this question came to approximately £1,120. That bears no relation to the amount charged by way of previous bills. Would the Minister consider expediting his Department's investigation into this matter on the basis that this question was first tabled by me in May of this year? I also wrote to the Minister's Department in that month and 23 May was told by letter that inquiries were being made into that matter. It is a matter of real concern to the girl referred to in the question.

I am aware of all the facts surrounding this case. One must sympathise with the subscriber because of the extremely large increase in the usage of units from 1 January 1981 to approximately the end of March 1981. As I said, we are having the matter reviewed and it is to be hoped that that review will turn out satisfactorily for the person named and for the Deputy.