asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason the telephone account issued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 for the period April-September 1982 was for a sum over 100 per cent in excess of his usual account; and the reason the telephone account for the billing period December-March 1983 was for a sum in excess of 300 per cent over the usual sum due; and the investigations that have been conducted by his Department on his behalf as he has been subject to excessive and inaccurate charges for these billing periods.

The subscriber's accounts were investigated and were found to be correct. The meter and associated equipment were also tested and found to be in good working order. I repeat the suggestion already made by my Department to this subscriber that he should consider renting a private meter so that he will be in a position to check on the use on his telephone.