Iarnrod Eireann Dispute

Sir, - What a complacent nation we are

Sir, - What a complacent nation we are. There are letters to the Editor on all sorts of topics, some generating lengthy correspondence. But on the current rail dispute, only one letter so far, in spite of such inconvenience to the "customers" of Irish Rail.

It is said that the customer is always right, but not in this case. Roll up, roll up: pay for a full daily, weekly or monthly ticket and wait for a train that may or may not come, that you may or may not get on to or that you may or may not be able to take home. Iarnrod Eireann has really hit rock bottom. With all the inquiries around, maybe one should be set up to investigate this company. The various drivers' unions must be examined as well.

In the meantime, is nobody going to sort out this incredible mess? Will the Minister not intervene to try to settle the dispute? The two sides seem so far apart that it would seem to be a joke if only it wasn't so serious. Imagine - last week, in the middle of all this disruption, new timetables were issued on the Dublin-Drogheda-Dundalk suburban service, but the trains were not operating! - Yours, etc.,

John Coleman, Townparks, Skerries, Co Dublin.