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

With respect, we are not suggesting a separate force. What we are suggesting is a division of An Garda Síochána that would be dedicated to public transport policing. This is what we are suggesting and it is has also been suggested by the trade unions involved. The Minister said it would not make any difference. The reality is that on the Luas, DART and other systems there are private security people but they do not have the powers to arrest or detain people. They do not have the powers to act in the way members of An Garda Síochána can. This is the difference that needs to be brought to bear on this. I agree with the Minister that we need to see more people use public transport. We need to roll out more public transport. We need to have it running later in the evenings. We need to have it there to provide a better service for people. It needs to be affordable, efficient, effective and on time but it also needs to be safe. If more people are going to be using it, they need to be assured it is safe to use. The only way they will be assured it is safe to use is if there are proper services in place with regard to policing it. This is why I certainly feel, and many of those who have looked at this situation feel, and it is international best practice anyway, we should have a dedicated policing service which is a division of An Garda Síochána. It would not be on top of, extra to or apart from but part of An Garda Síochána. They would be boots on the ground and at the train stations and bus stops and on public transport services to protect people. This is the only way we can resolve the situation.

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