Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is very disappointing. Of course there is not a struggle to accommodate large numbers but the point is that the existing infrastructure is not being utilised. We have not got bang for our buck for the commuters or in terms of economic development along the route. There are a number of low-cost steps that can be taken. The reason Deputy Browne, as a Tipperary Deputy, and I, as a Laois-Offaly Deputy, are raising this is that we have met people along the line who use the service, from Cloughjordan, Nenagh and Ballybrophy itself. A report needs to be produced on the line because there has been significant investment in it. I refer to a low-cost measure that can be implemented. One could have faster trains on the lines because there is continuous welded track. A new timetable needs to be produced. The timetable can be tweaked. A train should not sit idle all day.

Continuity of service needs to be addressed because the reliability of the track is being undermined by the frequent line closures without sufficient notice. That does not cost money to address. The timetable needs to be publicised. Social media can be used. Iarnród Éireann can publicise via Twitter, Facebook and other media.

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