John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the response. There is good news in it, particularly in respect of Iarnród Éireann and the deployment of on-board customer services on intercity services. I appreciate that. I believe passive security is being suggested.

The Minister does not want to get involved in the day-to-day running of any of the companies. He is responsible for policy. What is his view on this given that the union has made multiple calls for a dedicated transport police? It obviously sees good reasons for doing so. CCTV does not capture low grade anti-social behaviour but it does capture physical assault, quite clearly. The Minister outlined some of the issues. Will he publish the responses from Dublin Bus, the Luas, Iarnród Éireann and the DART? What was the response from the Minister for Justice and Equality?

The Minister has travelled on a bus and used the tram. There is nothing more scary and anxiety inducing than being on a bus when there is anti-social behaviour taking place. One is simply trapped. At least on a bus or the Luas, one knows there will be a stop in three or five minutes but one can be on a train for an hour. There is simply no escape. That is the fundamental point to take on board.

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