§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Postmaster-General whether, if a guarantee can be secured from the urban areas of Galway, Athlone, Mullingar, Cavan, Longford, Boyle, and Sligo, together with the promise of a given number, not less than 10, of subscribers in each of these townships to a telephone service, he will take steps to extend the grand trunk telephone system from Dublin to Galway, and Dublin to Sligo and to Cavan, via the Midland Great Western Railway line, immediately?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have already offered to recommend to the Treasury an extension of the telephone system to Mullingar, Athlone, and Galway under guarantee, but thus far an offer to provide part of the guarantee has been received from Athlone alone. A direct extension to Cavan would be very costly, but if guarantee can be obtained for an extension to Clones, I will quote guarantee terms for a further extension to Cavan. In the same way extensions to Longford and Boyle could not be undertaken with any prospect of a reasonable return except in connection for a scheme for serving Mullingar. Guarantee terms for an extension of the trunk system from Enniskillen to Sligo have been arranged.