A SLIGO SENATOR has called for the return of onboard catering on Irish Rail’s long-distance service to Sligo after posting a video to social media highlighting the lack of basic facilities for passengers.

Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, who travels weekly from Sligo to Dublin for her work in the Seanad, shared a video showing herself bringing a makeshift ‘snack cart’ down the train aisle.

During the video, she handed out bottles of water, crisps (including Tayto) and chocolate bars to fellow passengers for free.

Taking matters into our own hands on the Sligo-Dublin train.🚊#BringbacktheCateringCart@labour @OceanFmIreland @shannonsidenews @SligoChampion pic.twitter.com/skjs6obGMf

— Nessa Cosgrove (@CosgroveNessa) October 28, 2025

The video, which has been viewed tens of thousands of times across social media, was part of a wider campaign by Cosgrove calling for the reinstatement of catering services that were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Refreshment services have returned on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast lines since the pandemic, but not for other lines such as the Sligo commuter service (a three-a-a-half hour route).

Cosgrove, who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee, told The Journal that she has been contacted by passengers from across the country who face long journeys without access to food or drink.

“People are leaving home before five in the morning for hospital appointments or work. They’re told to bring their own, but that’s not realistic when you’re travelling for hours or carrying luggage,” she said.

“For many passengers, especially older people, families with children, or those with health conditions, having access to refreshments on board isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

I view it as a basic public service.

Irish Rail confirmed in a statement to The Journal that the procurement process to reinstate trolley catering on routes currently without it (including Sligo, Galway and Mayo) has been completed, and that a preferred supplier has been identified.

However, Irish Rail said the plan “is not currently funded”, adding that it is “exploring funding options” and remains hopeful that the service will return soon.

Both Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have cited funding shortages as the reason for the continued suspension of catering.

A catering service cart on a northern route train. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Senator Mark Duffy, the Seanad spokesperson on Transport, Energy and Climate, criticised the delay and said the NTA has yet to provide a breakdown of costings to the Oireachtas Transport Committee, despite being asked for them last May.

Speaking on Newstalk earlier this month, he described the lack of response as “disrespectful” to both the public and the committee.

Cosgrove said the issue reflects a broader frustration with what she sees as the State’s failure to invest in transport infrastructure in the northwest.

“The first train into Sligo doesn’t arrive until nearly 10am, that’s too late for anyone trying to make lectures, appointments or work shifts,” she said.

“It’s not joined-up thinking.”

She added that her video struck a chord because “people value public transport and just want it to work properly”.

“The response on the train to the snack cart was very positive – the commuters want this.”