LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNEMy Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government what main telephone lines now exist in Ireland, and whether any steps are being taken to extend them over the country, I regret that the noble Earl who represents the Post Office in this House is 585 not in his place. I know he takes a great interest in this subject, and I am sure he would have endeavoured from his knowledge of Ireland to give as sympathetic an answer as possible, whereas the noble Lord who will reply can only give me the official answer with which he has been supplied. As far as I can make out, the principle on which telephonic communication has been developed in Ireland has been a very proper one. First of all, the large towns have been linked up. Dublin is connected with Belfast, Cork, and Limerick, and even with Galway, but so far as I can make out. Galway is the only town in the West which is in direct telephonic communication with London. I am aware that the Post Office must consider whether any extension of their lines is likely to be a commercial success, but I cannot help thinking that cause and effect are factors it is rather difficult to calculate. The time will be remembered when the production of the yellow envelope containing a telegram filled many old people with alarm. Now everybody regards a telegram with absolute composure, and I cannot help thinking that something of the same kind might be the case with regard to telephones, and that if they were available people would soon learn how useful they were and would be prompt to take advantage of them. As I have said, Galway is in direct communication with London, but I cannot understand why it is that no towns on the line between Dublin and Galway are in communication. For instance, the line must pass through Athlone and Athenry, but it is impossible to communicate with either of those places. I venture to suggest whether it would not be possible to open a telephone office at Athlone in the first place and see if it paid, and then gradually extend the system to Athenry and other places. I do not for a moment suggest that it is possible for the Post Office to extend a network of telephones over the whole of Ireland; but I am anxious to know whether the matter is being dealt with in a haphazard manner, or whether a system exists for the gradual development of telephone communication all over Ireland. I am sure the latter is the proper way to set to work. This communication would be most useful in time of peace, and it seems to me that it would be almost essential should we be unfortunately engaged in war.
LORD DENMANAs the noble Lord 586 has told the House, this is a Post Office question, and not an Irish question, and it is only as the inefficient substitute for my noble friend Lord Granard that I am able to give the official answer with which I am supplied. The following are the main telephone lines in Ireland:—From Dublin northwards to Belfast and Londonderry, with exchanges at the principal intermediate towns; from Dublin southwards (1) to Maryborough, Mallow, and Cork; and (2) to Wicklow and Wexford; from Belfast lines run westward to (1) Magherafelt; (2) Omagh and Enniskillen; and (3) Armagh and Monaghan. From Maryborough a line runs north to Tullamore and Clara, and south to Kilkenny. A long cross-country line runs from Ennis and Limerick to Tipperary, Clonmel, Waterford, and Wexford; and another from Tralee and Killarney to Mallow and Fermoy. The principal extensions in prospect are (1) from Enniskillen to Sligo; (2) to Mullingar, Athlone, and ultimately to Galway; (3) to Clones and Cavan. The noble Lord said there was a line already to Galway.
LORD DENMANI dare say the telegraph office of this House is wrong. A number of minor extensions are also being considered. These extensions can only be carried out if sufficient local support and guarantees are obtained; and the Postmaster-General is corresponding on the subject with the local authorities and others interested.