Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and ask him to comment on the industrial situation within Irish Rail. In his response, he stated "as efficient a service as possible" would be provided "by matching train size to actual demand" and that the NTA has given conditional approval to Irish Rail. I assume this permission to reduce the number of DART carriages relates to off-peak times, as it would be extremely concerning otherwise.

Will the Minister of State raise at the meeting tomorrow if the number of carriages on trains could be indicated on the signage on the platform to enable passengers to be aware of the numbers of carriages as the train approaches the station? If shorter trains continue to be norm, can the ventilation system, in particular, be examined and upgraded? It is a major concern. As I said, it was reported in the Evening Herald that not enough space is available and people feel claustrophobic on the trains. I have had experience of that and I know from where they are coming.

A disruption to DART services on the northside is planned on the bank holiday weekend. No services will be available between Pearse Street Station and Howth due to the city centre resignalling project, a project that is to be welcomed. To not have any DART services on that line on the bank holiday weekend seems like an own goal. Perhaps Irish Rail could reschedule those works for a different time. The Minister of State might also raise that point at the meeting tomorrow.

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