Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator McFadden. It is a very serious issue, as the Leader must be aware. I hope he shares Senator McFadden's concern and appreciates the desperate and deplorable situation which is crying out for urgent and immediate redress.

For the benefit of the House, will the Leader outline the remaining sitting days up to Christmas and the programme of work he envisages the House dealing with in that period?

On a local matter, I am very concerned with the changing practice of Iarnród Éireann. Greatly improved trains have been brought into service and the early morning train from Kerry is an excellent service. Unfortunately, those travelling on the service are denied access to the dining carriage unless they travel first class. This never happened before and is a most peculiar situation which I have challenged on several occasions. I appeal, through the Leader, to the Minister to issue a directive to Iarnród Éireann to right this situation. It is preventing people who have no desire to travel first class, as the carriages are quite good and there is no need to, from having a meal of any kind because they cannot enter that carriage unless they buy a first class ticket.