Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Has Irish Rail ever considered a Ryanair approach to rail travel? If I travel by public transport, I like to travel on a train because I have the freedom to move about and I can get a meal on many trains, which suits me nicely. I am looking at fares. From Galway to Dublin costs €20 on a train and €12 on a bus. Killarney to Dublin costs €43 on the train and €25 on a bus. I guess it comes down to choice and personal economic circumstances whether a person will travel on a train or a bus.

I see the point Mr. Meade makes that on the train I have the comfort of being able to work while I travel. Most of the trains are well-equipped with Wi-Fi etc. My experience on Irish Rail's trains is that the staff are wonderful. We are well looked after when we get on the trains, albeit there are security issues arising. Mr. Meade can be proud enough of his staff. However, if Irish Rail drops the fare structure, will they come. That might be the way I would put it.