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

Another aspect of this is the retention of staff. It is a problem. There is a shortage of drivers across the country and across the world, especially for public transport utilities. The issue for many is that they do not particularly want to drive a bus, tram, Luas or whatever where they will be attacked or abused by people on a regular basis. Alternative employment is available to them. We must ensure people are kept safe. There are issues with other aspects of employment law in that respect. There is a race to the bottom with regard to the privatisation of services. However, one of the key things is the issue of safety and security and ensuring people feel safe when they go to work. We have a situation in Dublin and in other parts of the country where young people leaving work late in the evening have no option for travelling home. They have no way to get back to where they live. They end up walking the streets and it is dangerous. If there is a bus service, they are afraid to use it. We must change that.

See this speech in context