I wish to raise the shambolic issues surrounding the suspension of catering services for those who use rail transport for intercity commutes. This has been ongoing for the past 11 months and it needs to be resolved. 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. 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 anytime soon. I think of routes such as Cork to Dublin, Westport to Dublin, and from Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Station-based shops are available only 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.

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.