Instead of paying her unvouched expenses just issue her with a travel pass

I think it’s important to note that, on this particular train route, the ticket offices are often still closed for early morning commuters and so when the ticket inspector comes around, you just buy one off them- no hassle. It’s different from busier train stations in Dublin. I know there is the issue of ticket machines but when I first read the story I completely understood what had happened.

Bu… as a public representative, she should be making a concerted effort to ensure that situations of this nature don’t arise.

“this arrangement is too confusing”…well if buying a train ticket is beyond this politician,then we are screwed

In France if you don’t have a ticket you must notify the ticket inspector who walks the length of the train and buy it from him , Ireland is backward when it come to tickets, lets say your in a rush or late and you have to jump on the train, you should be able to buy a ticket on bord

She’s making such a song and dance about that event it’s insane. There is no confusion about the rules, thousands of people everyday are able to abide by them.
She should have paid her fine weeks ago and moved on like anybody else would have.

Peter: yup same in Poland, if you don’t buy ticket at the till, but you approach ticket inspector / on-board train staff you can buy with no penalties. If they approach you to check ticket and you don’t have it then it’s too late.
Once I was in big rush and jumped onto Dublin Dart never realizing I don’t have a valid ticket (new week).
Then at Connolly it was dead easy to sneak out through the gates with morning crowd as main gate did not work so people were showing the guy their cards I could flash that guy over there my old card and 99,99% I could be through, he wasnt even looking what people were showing him. But not, I had “better” idea and approach kiosk before gates and told staff their about it and that I want to pay for this fare. Yeah…right… documents please and fine issued 100 eur. I tried to argue this decision, no chance. Then I got letter from Irish Rail Revenue Protection unit which I responded back in writing with my reasoning – that however I forgot my ticket is outdated I honestly approached controller first, rather than doing sneak through the gate. Not a hope.
I paid the fine and send them “thank you” letter for punishing honesty and said to them in the leter that if this happens to me next time I’ll make sure I’ll try to sneak through gates as it does not pay to be honest with Irish rail. Maybe someone will cop on there, maybe not…

I got the train to Tipp from cork a few weeks ago. Purchased my tickets at the credit union beforehand. On the journey up, my ticket wasn’t checked. On the journey back down to cork, the train had broken down in Kildare so a bus was laid on but my ticket was again not checked. Saved 8 quid thanks to the credit union and another 30 thanks to Irish rail. :-)

Oh what a big gesture? Will this by any chance come out of your expenses?

Yes, but has she apologised to the Ticket Inspector whose ear she chewed off?

And how can Irish Rail be any clearer? Did she fail to notice the “No ticket, no travel, no excuses” posters plastered all over their train stations?

This is a bit like the story of a cat who got scared after climbing a tree and the fire department had to come rescue it.
How much does this government official get paid and this is the output…

I understand that you and I and every other tax paying Citizen pays for her ticket anyway – why? I ask – I travel to Dublin from Tralee in my work about once every three weeks – I pay at my own expense !

Why not the same for everyone ?

And then all the confusion re finding ur seat as they only put the names with lights on at last min. The last time on train this big American woman with kids almost belted this older man out of “her” seat.

I suppose the €36 million that CIE got changed their mind in following it up ! ! !

The Irish Rail system of having Ticket Sellers/Inspectors onboard sporadically is ridiculous. No idea for late-comers to know if they can get one onboard or not. I got Fined €100 once despite making myself know. Argued the case that I’d the money on me but Train was departing early (6 Mins.). Won the case but even then, the RPU at Connolly split-hairs over 2 Mins. They still charged me the Full-Fare and never gave me Return Ticket though, the Shanks.

Fidelma is a she knows the rules. This is akin to shoplifting.

Wish I could afford to just splash out €100 for peace and quiet.