Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

107. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the programme for Government commitment to create a transport security force under the National Transport Authority, which would operate and have similar powers to the airport police and customs officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51713/25]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Everyone in the House agrees it is important for commuters and people using public transport to feel safe. That is why I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to the creation of a transport security force under the NTA. I am also aware this will require a legislative basis and funding. Could the Minister give us some indication of when this will be rolled out? When will we see the first officers of the force on our buses and trains?

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for his support for this initiative. It is important we ensure there is safety on our public transport network right across the country. I want to assure him that we are actively progressing the legislative proposals required to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to establish that transport security force.

I have worked very closely with the NTA. I met its chairperson this week and this will form part of the agenda. The work involves careful and informed consideration of the most appropriate model for the force.

I am bottoming that out right now. We have looked at the options and we have key stakeholders engaged, including the NTA, operators, trade unions, passenger groups, An Garda Síochána and the Department of justice. I have met all these groups. I nave met the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, on this issue too. Since assuming office, collectively, I think I have met all those stakeholders at least twice. Another meeting is scheduled very shortly to get a progress update.

We will deliver this. It will operate under the NTA, with powers similar to those held by the airport police and customs officers. Other additions are required, because if we look at the airport police, in particular, that force operates on a specific campus. A transport security force would be able to pursue and would have to be able to detain. We will have to work very closely with An Garda Síochána as well. The Garda has been very successful over the past 18 months in Operation Saul with the number of arrests and convictions the Garda has made, and this operation is specifically focused on our public transport network. I commend the Garda on the work it has done.

We are working to a tight enough timeframe. We will need legislation to come into the House. We will have to consolidate many of the by-laws that already exist. That is a piece of work that is being done right now. Timeframe-wise, and I think I have said it before, I would love to have the legislation passed by the end of next year with the co-operation of the House. If we can do it sooner, it will require pre-legislative scrutiny in the Joint Committee on Transport.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am a strong advocate and daily user of our public transport system, but the perception and reality on public transport is that people are feeling unsafe. The NTA's security survey shows 40% of people feeling unsafe on public transport. The "Prime Time" programme on RTÉ earlier this year revealed that reported incidents of antisocial behaviour on Dublin Bus specifically rose from 494 in 2019 to just over 1,000 last year. There are real issues there, and this is making public transport less attractive, and especially less attractive for some of the most vulnerable people. From talking to people in my constituency, especially people from the Indian and south Asian minority communities who have experienced an upsurge in racism, I know many have reported that this has happened when they have been trapped on public transport and cannot get away from the aggressor. This is why these measures are going to be so important. If legislation is passed by the end of 2026, would the Minister see this transport police force operating early in 2027?

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I think there are ways of doing that and ways perhaps of running recruitment or looking at potential routes to recruitment alongside the legislation. We have to get the operational structures set in place. Consolidation of the legal aspects will be complex but the operational ones should not be. This is why I have already had discussions with the NTA and An Garda Síochána and direct meetings with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. The Department of justice is very supportive of what we are doing.

The Deputy is right in what he said about perception. Looking at the 2024 report published in April, which the Deputy referred to, 90% of passengers said they feel safe on public transport in the early mornings or day time, but that drops to 70% in the evening. Many of those who have a perception of a lack of safety are people who do not actually use public transport. Basically, this issue is putting people off using public transport too. The addition of a dedicated, uniformed transport security force, working closely with An Garda Síochána, will make a significant difference in this regard. I will say more and give the details in my next response regarding the current spending on private security to supplement the Garda.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the existing private security go completely when the new transport police force comes in or is there a plan to run it concurrently? I am aware that the creation of something new like this requires legislation and a dedicated budgetary line. Nevertheless, the Minister took office in January 2025, and he is now talking about this service being operational in early 2027. That is a fair time but I do not think much beyond that would be. This is a doable proposition and something the Minister has been advocating for. It is important that timeline is stuck to closely. Due to the greater investment in public transport up to this point, at least, we have seen a very large increase in the number of people using our public transport network. If people feel unsafe, they will not continue to move in those numbers. The figures we both quoted here are concerning. They need to be addressed and I see this transport police force as a key element in doing so.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.