I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me to raise this matter, which relates to the lack of a Sunday midday train service to the west. There is no train from Dublin to the west on a Sunday. The line from Athlone to Westport and Ballina, the only line which has no midday service on a Sunday, is especially affected. This is regrettable and must be changed. There is widespread public concern as for the past number of Sundays the evening train which leaves at 6.00 p.m. has been full to capacity with at least 200 people having to stand. This underlines the fact that a midday service would not be a loss maker for Iarnród Éireann. There is a demand for such a service and it should be provided.
The tourism season, during which air traffic into Dublin begins early in the morning, will start after Christmas. Those arriving who have to continue their journey to the west must wait until 6.00 p.m. on Sundays before they can get a service to carry them home. I would like the Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke, to request the management of Iarnród Éireann to provide a midday service forthwith for the people of the west, especially those living in its outer limits. There is a service to Portarlington but no service to Westport or Ballina at midday on Sundays.
Iarnród Éireann has a duty to the public to provide this service and to eliminate the conditions prevailing on the trains which depart from Heuston on Sunday evenings.
