Laois County Councillors and two Laois TDs have called for the introduction of a later train service in the county.
The issue was first raised at the most recent meeting of Laois County Council and brought forward again this week in a Dail committee.
Fine Gael Councillor Barry Walsh, who is also the Cathaoirleach, and Independent Tommy Mulligan, tabled a motion on the matter in December.
They asked that a letter be sent to Irish Rail asking that the last train departing from Heuston Station would terminate at Portlaoise.
The last train from Heuston Station to Portlaoise currently leaves at 10.10pm, too early for locals attending concerts and other events in Dublin, they said.
The council will request that the last train service from Heuston Station at 11.10pm be extended to include Portarlington and Portlaoise.
Cllr Mulligan said: “We have a fantastic train service at the stands at the moment, we have 33 trains going to Dublin each day and we have 30 returning from Dublin, which is an incredible service.
“Daily boardings, roughly, figures will be up to 1,000 in Portarlington and at Portlaoise over 1,000, probably closer to 2,000.
“So presently the last train out of Heuston Station is the 10 past 11 and this gets as far as Kildare then at 12 o’clock.
“Kildare is the final stop but for another 15 minutes, you’re talking about getting to Portarlington and for another 26 minutes you’re talking about getting to Portlaoise.
“So I just think if we get this train service to continue to those stops, it would greatly benefit the people of Laois.
“You’re looking at much greater flexibility for commuters that are in Dublin, more options about getting home.
“You’re benefiting those who are working maybe late shifts, evening shifts, you’re benefiting students or adults who are going back to education in universities and colleges.
“There’s the huge option now of going out to Dublin, going for a night out or dining out in Dublin, going out for a couple of hours.
“You’re giving the public the option of attending events for example, concerts, theatre, plays, anything along those lines.
“As well as that then we are encouraging people to get out of cars, we’re lessening our carbon footprint and we’re also making Laois a more attractive place to live because it’s an additional service that the towns offer.”
Cllr Walsh added: “I am a former commuter and I 100% agree with this motion, I see the benefits to it.
“Working lives have changed, it’s not 9 to 5 anymore, there are so many varied options available to workers so this would be hugely beneficial.
“Like Tommy said, people can go to concerts, work events, work life balance and all that kind of stuff.
“And if we’re trying to encourage more sustainability and environmental travel like these kind of options would be made available to us.”
Cllr Vivienne Phelan said a later train would benefit many local third level students, who are commuting to college because of the high cost of accommodation in Dublin.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley also supported the proposal, saying that she commuted to Dublin for years by train and was part of the first Portlaoise Commuters Action Group many years ago.
These sentiments were echoed this week by Fine Gael TD Willie Aird and Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming while speaking at the National Transport Authority.
Speaking in the Dail committee, Deputy Aird explained how he uses public transport to get to and from Leinster House but cannot do so on Wednesdays as he returns too late for the last train.
Instead, he has to rely on Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming, who is chair of that body, for a lift home.
Deputy Fleming, in his capacity as chair, also raised the issue and supported his constituency colleague.
Deputy Aird said: “The only time I cannot do it, and I do not expect the NTA to lay on a special train for me or anybody else, is when we are sitting late on a Wednesday night. It is very difficult.
“If it was not for my friend Seán (Fleming) giving me a lift home, I would probably have to stay in the Dáil overnight.
“The point I want to make is that the last train to Portlaoise goes at 10.10 pm I am not just talking about me but about all the people who use the train from Portlaoise and further afield.
“The train at 11.20 pm goes to Kildare. That train must stop and sleep in Kildare, or else it comes back to Dublin.
“It does not go any further. Surely it could go down to Portlaoise or the whole way to Cork.
“We have a station in Portlaoise where it could stop. I cannot understand why the train cannot go the extra few miles.”
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