Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal, Louise O’Reilly, has said that the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan must intervene to reverse the Irish Rail timetable changes that have led to delays, deeply frustrated commuters and, most worryingly, dangerously overcrowded trains and platforms.

Deputy O’Reilly raised her concerns with Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman in the Dáil today, and she said that Minister Ryan must meet with Irish Rail to ensure that they revert to the original timetables or come up with new timetables that actually work for commuters.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The Irish Rail timetable changes have been an unmitigated disaster for commuters and, what’s worse, they are proving to be extremely dangerous.

“Commuters on the northern line have been met with consistent delays and massive gaps in the morning schedule.

“This is causing great frustration for passengers and staff. But, most worryingly, they are leading to dangerously overcrowded trains and platforms.

“One of my constituents told me this morning that her train was so badly overcrowded that she had to sit on the ground for fear she was going to faint.

“That is just not acceptable and, from her experience so far since the new timetables have been introduced, she fears it will be just as bad on her return journey home this evening.

“Minister Eamon Ryan has been asleep at the wheel. He must intervene with Irish Rail to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.

“They must revert to the original timetables or introduce new timetables that actually work.”