Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the past year, on numerous occasions, I have raised with the Minister of Justice and, indeed, the Minister of Transport, the need for a public transport policing service to be put in place in this country, especially as we have seen, over the past number of months, serious attacks on people both on the public transport service and on some of the drivers of buses etc. A driver in Cavan was seriously attacked.

I understand, if media reports are to be believed, that the Taoiseach is taking an interest in this at present. There is a bit of mixed signalling coming from the Government, because every time I have asked about it, I have been told it was not something the Government was considering. Perhaps the Tánaiste could clear that up. Is the Government prepared to put in place a proper public transport policing service to protect people and keep them safe on our public transport system throughout the country? As we encourage more people to use public transport for carbon reasons, we also want to ensure that it is safe and secure for people to use.

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