‘No date yet’ for return of catering on Irish Rail trains

No date has been set for the restoration of catering services on Irish Rail trains, a spokesperson for the transport company told this newspaper.

The spokesperson was responding to reports that the on-board services, which have been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic, were due to be restored on all intercity trains before the end of this year.

"We have not said that catering would be back by the end of the year," said a spokesperson for Irish Rail.

"We are continuing to engage with potential market providers to allow a cost-effective restoration of catering services, but this is not yet resolved."

The absence of on-board catering has been highlighted by some public representatives, including Fianna Fáil Senator Ollie Crowe, who said it was "unacceptable".