Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It genuinely believe it is an important matter.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of transport police. It is a very good suggestion and is one I have made myself. We should have a separate transport police to augment the work of An Garda Síochána on the ground. The issues of vandalism and attacks on passengers or personnel working on the Luas or DART services raised by the Senator are a source of concern. It is unacceptable and there is a need to have a real debate about a transport police specific for Dublin which can augment the work of An Garda Síochána. In Cork city recently the Jack Lynch Tunnel and the Lower Glanmire Road were closed and there was gridlock. Rather than using Garda resources to deal with this kind of event, it would be a good idea to have a transport police section to deal with them, which would allow for free movement of traffic and to end some of the commuter heartache referenced by Senator Horkan.

The issue raised by Senator Horkan is one of the challenges we must face as a nation, given that we are back to full employment. There is more traffic on the road, so we should be investing more in public transport, as both Senators Horkan and Lombard have said. I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, come to the House to address the issues the Senator has raised this morning. It is a huge source of concern. The point made by Senator Lombard about the cost of public transport in west Cork is a legitimate concern to be articulating here.