Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Antisocial behaviour is a societal issue to which public transport is, unfortunately, not immune. Those who regularly use and work in our public transport system are most directly impacted by any incident that occurs on the network. I assure the Deputy that all public transport operators are expending significant resources introducing measures to counter the impact of antisocial behaviour and ensuring the safety and security of public transport passengers and staff. For example, the entire Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Go-Ahead and Bus Éireann fleets are fully fitted with CCTV cameras and radios.

Irish Rail has also established enhanced joint protocols with the Garda nationally and locally, including the establishment of rapid response support hubs in 14 locations for intercity services, with staff having direct lines to the Garda for incident support. Further, a joint initiative between public transport providers and An Garda Síochána community engagement units has seen hubs established at Heuston Plaza, Connolly Plaza and Broombridge. Transdev has introduced a new initiative on a pilot basis, using its mobile app, whereby Luas customers can communicate directly through the app with the operator's control room and report an incident of anti-social behaviour as it is happening.

I fully support all of this work, in particular the ongoing positive engagement between An Garda Síochána and the various public transport operators on the issue of safety on public transport. Indeed, officials from the Department met with representatives from the public transport operators, unions, and passenger groups at the recent national sustainable mobility forum in a dedicated workshop on safety and security. The Department and the National Transport Authority, NTA, will continue to carry forward this work with those stakeholders to help ensure the safety of staff and passengers on public transport.

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