Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Rail timetable changes have been an unmitigated disaster. On the northern line, trains are delayed. When you eventually get on the train, as I did this morning, it can be delayed for seven or eight minutes. This morning, we waited outside Connolly Station and the train itself was dangerously overcrowded. There is a massive gap in the morning schedule, leading to overcrowded trains, frustrated commuters and overcrowded platforms that are dangerous for commuters, other passengers and staff of Irish Rail. I have raised this matter directly with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, but he appears to be asleep at the wheel, not interested or not able to deal with it. We require an intervention. We need to go back to the original timetable or make a change to the new one that works for commuters. I had an email from one of my constituents this morning in which she told me the train was so badly overcrowded that she had to sit on the ground for fear she would faint. That was before her day's work. It will be every bit as bad for her going home this evening. Can the Minister please ensure the Minister for Transport intervenes and takes some meaningful action on behalf of commuters?

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