There was disappointment expressed at today’s Castlebar Municipal District meeting over comments made by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin in response to a Mayo TD’s query about the lack of catering services on intercity rail services.
Fine Gael’s Alan Dillon highlighted what he described as ‘shambolic issues’ to Mr Martin in Dáil Éireann this week.
He told the Fianna Fáil leader that the suspension of catering services has left passengers, many of whom are students and OAPs, without the option to buy a bottle of water, snacks or a cup of tea.
“This has been ongoing for the past 11 months and it needs to be resolved,” Mr Dillon said.
“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.
He called on Mr Martin to take up the matter with Iarnród Éireann.
“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.”
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said people should have their porridge before getting on the train.
Speaking at today’s district meeting, Fine Gael councillor Ger Deere expressed his disappointment at An Taoiseach’s response.
“To say that people should have their big bowl of porridge before going on the train is a very disappointing response.”
Mr Deere’s late mother availed of the train service to Dublin for appointments.
“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.”
Cathaoirleach of the district, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, was shocked at Mr Martin’s comments.
“I think we should write to them him and tell him there’s a big difference between getting the train from Cork, than getting it from Westport,” Mr Kilcoyne said.
