100. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to reintroduce catering services on rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51698/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

The Minister mentioned he was in Heuston Station this morning. I saw him there with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell. He may have noticed the 7 a.m. train from Tralee, which came in shortly before he arrived without any catering service on it. We would think between the lot of the Ministers who were down there that they might be able to sort it out. I do not want to be flippant but after I raised this on the previous occasion someone wrote to me in verse: Will you ask the Minister for Transport what does he think? Four hours is a long time without something to drink.

Sentiment score: -0.00

I agree that we have raised this issue previously. In fact, back in February we received a reply that the tendering process had been progressed and was at an advanced stage with costings established, and that it was with the NTA for funding. Is there any need to outsource it to a company that will charge a seven-figure amount? When I was a student and after that, Iarnród Éireann directly employed people in its catering section to sell the items in question. We are speaking about trains going from Sligo and Mayo to Dublin and the Tralee service, which is probably the longest journey in the country at four hours. People are forced to make these long journeys with no access to catering. They cannot wait until they arrive at Heuston Station. There are many elderly customers on their way to meet consultants in Dublin or going to medical appointments. They do not have a cup of water on the journey for four hours. Promises have been made and nothing has been done.

Sentiment score: 0.05

On many of the trains the facilities are there. There is a counter there.

Sentiment score: 0.00

What is wrong with employing someone to sell a packet of crisps or some water? This suspension of services was only supposed to be a temporary measure during Covid. As we know, passenger numbers have increased. The service is continuing without any catering. It was not meant to be the new normal. I cannot understand how the mentality is fixed in their brains that they cannot directly employ someone and make them an employee of Iarnród Éireann. I am not even talking about providing hot food but they could provide a cup of tea or a bottle of water. This surely should not be too hard to establish. It would not cost a seven-figure sum to employ people such as this on all of the services throughout the country. It is fine having it on the Dublin to Cork service, which is a two-and-a-half hour journey, and on the Belfast service, which we have used ourselves, but what about the rest of the country?

Sentiment score: 0.04