Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Nobody understands timetables and public transport efficiency than the users themselves. I am aware of the operational issues on Monday and Tuesday and there has been an increase in correspondence to my office since the Monday change as well, notwithstanding those operational issues.

Connolly Station has always been congested and it is getting worse. There are issues right down to Grand Canal Dock Station. These are knock-on impacts that only manifest themselves now that the timetable change has come into effect. When representing a commuter county that is trying its very best to get people out of cars and onto buses and trains, to have something like this happen is really regressive.

I was at Portmarnock Station last week and when there was a delay to the service, I saw people come back out off the track and get back into a car, or call a relative to get a car to bring them where they wanted to go. I witnessed that when I was out there with Councillor Brian McDonagh.

We have a problem on the northern commuter line. I am not convinced we will see much change. It will be a "Let's suck it and see" approach from Irish Rail and that is not good enough. We in north County Dublin are so vulnerable, as well in other places, in terms of public transport. Another impact we have is in a town such as Balrothery, which is not served by the rail line. It is only served by Bus Éireann, through the 101 route, and that route has a capacity issue now with people being left behind at the bus stop. Towns such as Balrothery, Donabate and all up and down the northern line are expanding. The existing service was under pressure and the changes have made the service worse while the population is increasing and due to further increase. The DART+ that is coming down the line will be a game-changer but it is a long way from being delivered and right now, workers and students are being delayed, commuters are frustrated and people are getting back into their cars.

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