Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister says, Portmarnock now has the same numbers. I put it to him that this is as a result of the outcry from commuters, which had to be articulated by public representatives, and the week or ten days of nightmare they had to endure. He might also note the fact that the evening service has not been restored and is not up to par. No one expects the Minister to micromanage Iarnród Éireann and he was not asked to do that. Presumably, however, as he is responsible for Iarnród Éireann, the Minister has a role to play in commenting on situations where the health and safety of passengers is endangered. Presumably he has a view on a situation where public representatives must contact Iarnród Éireann seeking information on why Portmarnock was selected for a reduced service supposedly to enhance the service in other areas. When we ask how that decision was reached and what passenger data were used to say that Portmarnock, an area with 1,000 new houses coming on stream, should be the service that would be hit, presumably the Minister has a view and a role to play . He could step in and do something to correct those bad practices.

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