Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will continue for a moment on the rail issue because I want to go back to the issue of the Sligo to Dublin route, particularly the Sligo to Connolly Station route, though I know it goes from Longford to Pearse Station as well. We still have a situation where you cannot get a cup of coffee or tea on that line. It is very disappointing that, months after it was reintroduced in other parts of the country, it does not apply to this line. It makes people feel they are being treated as second-class citizens. I cannot see the reason Iarnród Éireann can roll this out in other parts of the country and leave the west and north west without it. If people get on a train in Sligo, or even in Longford, which is two hours away, it is a long wait for them who just want the basic thing of a cup of tea or coffee or a snack. We are not talking about any big deal. I know for these things to be put place takes time and effort but it is going on too long. We have to remember that many of those little shops that were at the train stations are also closed now. They are not open so nobody can pick up anything. A person getting on in Longford cannot pick something up there. The staff are fantastic. They are very helpful and they try to help at all times but it really is annoying people, especially from that part of the country, that they are being left behind in that manner.

I congratulate Enda Smith from County Roscommon on getting a GAA all-star. It is huge for Roscommon football and it was a very proud weekend. I also mention a lady called Sarah Keane, who won the All-Ireland Scór Sinsir singing competition. I again congratulate Elphin, the GPA, and everybody in Roscommon Scór. These people do this in a voluntary capacity for their clubs and their county. It is great work, it brings great pride to a county, and we should all honour those people and pay tribute when they have success like that.