§ Mr. JOYCEasked the Postmaster-General whether telegraphic communication between London and the South of Ireland offices, including Limerick, was totally interrupted on 20th February; whether he can state when communication was finally restored to Limerick; what delay occurred as a result of the stoppage; what provision was made to meet the extra work entailed in the affected Irish centres; and what steps, if any, were taken at either end to restore communication earlier?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELTelegraphic communication between London and the South of Ireland was not totally interrupted on the 20th ultimo. Communication on the direct lines between London and Limerick was stopped on the evening of the 20th ultimo until the 23rd, but telegrams were sent by way of Dublin with a delay which, at its maximum, was of six hours. The staff was employed on overtime, and, generally, every effort was made by my officers to remedy at the earliest moment the damage caused by the storms, and to deal with the work as quickly as the wire upstanding would allow.