Lack of catering services on Irish trains 'unacceptable', Seanad told
Ireland is currently the only country in Western Europe that does not provide catering services on all train routes, a politician has claimed.
There has been an absence of trolley services on the majority of Iarnród Éireann routes since the catering was stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Iarnród Éireann had committed to a full restoration of catering by the end of 2024, however, due to cost issues this did not happen.
They were restored on a limited basis, with catering currently available on Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast routes.
However, Fianna Fáil Senator Ollie Crowe said this was "unacceptable" as catering is an "essential and basic" part of rail travel.
He told the Seanad: "Ireland is currently the only country in Western Europe which doesn't provide catering services - that's not an acceptable standard.
"They want to promote public transport and make it more attractive.
"We're providing funding to do that in every budget, but at the same time we're providing rail services where people cannot get a tea or coffee, something they were able to do 25, 35 or 40 years ago - it's entirely illogical."
"The situation should not be tolerated for this long, and I would urge Government to take action immediately," he added.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Road Transport and Rails Seán Canney said Iarnród Éireann had been working hard to restore catering services where possible, however, due to high costs, it could so far only be delivered on a limited basis.
He said work was being done to improve catering services at train stations, and that customers were allowed to bring their own food and drinks, excluding alcohol, on board.
He said a full tender process was undertaken for catering services across the intercity network, while costs have determined that catering could only be provided on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast routes.
Minister Canney said Iarnród Éireann is continuing to engage with the National Transport Authority and Department of Transport for scope to secure further funding to widen catering facilities to more routes.
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