Opposition train sights on Leo Varadkar and Shane Ross

As Leo Varadkar and Shane Ross are quickly learning, it’s easier to grumble about a train’s location while waiting on the platform than to be responsible for getting it there in the first place.

As the 24-hour rail strike caused havoc for more than 155,000 regular commuters yesterday, another slower derailment was at risk of taking place far closer to Leinster House.

While to date the issue has been limited to opposition criticism, unless the matter addressed before the second of five strike days — next Tuesday — frustration from voters in key constituencies means it could soon turn into a political crisis of the Government’s own making, or, more specifically, Mr Varadkar’s and Mr Ross’ own making.