This morning saw a new twist in public service broadcasting when the nation was informed by RTE radio of the decision by Irish Rail to close down DART services for 18 months with four days notice. Surely, this is commercial lunacy as we approach the busiest period of the year. It begs the question of who is really in charge of the running of the country and our public services when it is announced on behalf of a major State agency that it is intended to discommode 90,000 commuters every weekend for the next 18 months. When did the Government become aware of this plan and why did Irish Rail fail to make it public long before now? Why did Irish Rail fail to involve itself with those customers, commuters and retailers who will be discommoded? What contingency plans have been put in place?
Despite the fact that a spokesman said that for two Saturdays the lines will remain open, as we approach the time when the Taoiseach will take over the Presidency of the European Union and shops are already filling with Christmas goods, the numbers referred to will vastly exceed 90,000 over weekends in the run-up to Christmas. Will the Taoiseach indicate when he found out about this matter, the reason it was kept secret and the contingency plans that are in place to allow for the smooth running of public affairs?