Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

I genuinely thank the Deputy for his support for this force. If we can work together in a collegiate way across the House, we will be able to advance the legislation quicker. We will need a fair wind to be able to have it all passed by next year and have recruitment for the force in place. It will have to be rolled out on a phased basis. It is my earnest desire to have the force in place in 2027. Iarnród Éireann security spending up 41%. To answer the Deputy's earlier question, when this force is in place, I do not see it being the case that every other private security presence will be stood down. I think we could potentially work with that network to look at people who are already qualified to work in these roles.

I just want to put a few things on the record. Iarnród Éireann's security spending is up 41% and this equates to around €11 million in 2025. Twenty rapid response hubs have been established across the inner-city network. Dublin Bus has expanded its safer journey team to three units in north, south and central Dublin. There are 11 internal CCTV cameras on all buses, with three external CCTV cameras fitted on the modern fleet vehicles. Bus Éireann has CCTV across its fleet, with 24-7 emergency support available. The Luas has 58 full-time security staff who wear body cameras and patrol the Red and Green lines. There are certain blackspots. Dublin Bus, in particular, has responded to this issue and there is a particular focus to stamp out antisocial behaviour. Such behaviour is not acceptable anywhere and particularly not on our public transport network. It should be stamped out. That is why I think the creation of this security force will assist in that.

See this speech in context