Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I echo the Leas-Chathaoirleach's remarks in welcoming the Minister back. He has spent much time here in the Chamber this week. The reason I put down this Commencement matter is to start a discussion or debate on whether we need a dedicated transport police on our rail service. I am of the firm mind that we do. This week, after 20 years campaigning, SIPTU called for a dedicated police force for our rail and transport service similar to the service that operates in London. I know we cannot change overnight. We have seen media reports on what sometimes happens on the DART line late in the evening. I have seen examples in person and the statistics are frightening. Anti-social behaviour has jumped by 43% in the past two years. There have been 1,000 separate incidents since the start of 2017, compared with only 492 for the complete period of 2016. That is only scratching the surface. Much of the anti-social behaviour and crime on our transport system is underreported. Unfortunately, we probably face a circumstance where train drivers will refuse to operate certain routes late at night, which would be truly regrettable.

I hope to start the conversation with the Minister this morning. I acknowledge that Irish Rail has increased private security at black spots, but private security firms do not have the right to detain somebody in a station, or prevent him or her from running away. DART trains have been held up in stations for ten or 15 minutes at a time. To give security to customers on Irish Rail and the DART, the preventive measure of having an identified policing service on our transport system would be positive. I know the Minister faces constraints and cannot come to the House and state he will do as I have asked. However, if we could start a conversation, it would be positive and would send a message to the many thousands of workers in the transport services that we are starting to take this issue seriously. We want customers and workers to feel safe and secure when they use public transport services. Public transport could be served well by a small dedicated transport police.