§ 89. Captain REDMONDasked whether the Dublin Post Office, as a consequence of the martial law Proclamation, has ceased to perform its functions in that city between the hours of 11.30 p.m. and 5 a.m.; whether it is a fact that no telegrams are delivered between these hours: and whether, in view of the fact that this public Department is unable to perform its due services to the people, causing 39 serious inconvenience and loss, he will state what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIn view of the risks involved in passing through the streets of Dublin, the night messenger staff object to undertaking the delivery of telegrams between midnight and 5 a.m., and in the circumstances I do not think it would be reasonable to require them to do so. There is, therefore, no alternative but to suspend the ordinary messenger service and to deliver telegrams by telephone where possible. Every effort is being made to expedite delivery by this means.
§ Captain REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Dublin newspapers are seriously inconvenienced and have made protests on this question, and can he not do anything to alleviate that condition of things?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI have no doubt they are inconvenienced, but I do not see that I can do anything to relieve the situation.
§ Captain REDMONDCould the right hon Gentleman not deliver the telegram by tank?