Mayo dismay over Taoiseach's response to 'shambolic' rail transport issue

A Mayo TD has highlighted what he described as "shambolic issues" surrounding the suspension of catering services for those who use rail transport for intercity commutes.

Deputy Alan Dillon told Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dáil Éireann, that rail passengers, including students and the elderly, who travel for up to three or four hours are still unable to access catering services whether that is to get a bottle of water, a mineral or a cup of tea on Iarnród Éireann’s intercity network across the country.

"This has been ongoing for the past 11 months and it needs to be resolved,

"Commuters cannot for the life of them understand how these restrictions are currently in place with no sign of catering services to be put in place any time soon.

"I think of routes such as Cork to Dublin, Westport to Dublin, and from Kerry, Cork and Limerick.

"Station-based shops are only available in bigger rail stations.

"I am calling on the Taoiseach to take up this serious matter with Irish Rail.

"We are now past the point of excuses from Irish Rail about short-staffing and cost issues. I ask for this matter to be addressed with immediate effect."

In response, An Taoiseach stated: "My understanding is that the catering provider has pulled out and the organisation has not been in a position to find a replacement but it is essentially a matter for Iarnród Éireann to resolve.

"In the interim, I think people should have their porridge before they get on the train."

Speaking at today's meeting of Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Ger Deere said he was very disappointed with An Taoiseach response to Deputy Dillon's appeal..

"To say that people should have their porridge before going on the train is, to say the least, a very disappointing response.

"A lot of Mayo elderly people going for early hospital appointments in Dublin use the train on a regular basis and cannot even get a cup of tea on it. It's disgraceful," he stated.