Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be happy to give Senator Conway two and a half minutes but I cannot share time.

The shift in behaviour is important. Government has strategically laid down this marker by the publication of the national development plan, Bus Connects, Connecting Ireland and the climate action plan tomorrow. I thank my colleagues for the debate tonight in the House. It was very positive. Much of what has been said helps us to move forward together. I am disappointed at one level that Senator Boyhan's amendment is not being accepted. I, along with other Members of the Upper and Lower Houses from Fine Gael, have mentioned the need for action on anti-social behaviour on our public transport systems. Many Members of this House and the Lower House and many of us in our offices and personally have experienced anti-social behaviour. It is not acceptable for staff, the travelling public and commuters who use public transport every day. I am genuinely concerned about the spiral in anti-social behaviour in all parts of our country but in particular in the public transport system. We have a duty to the staff and to the travelling public.

I was struck by the conversation I had with a number of bus drivers in my own city of Cork who spoke to me about the decline in behaviour and the fear they have. Senator McDowell or Senator Boyhan mentioned after dark but it is not just after dark. The attitude towards anti-social behaviour is one we should return to in a different debate.

People want to move from the car. Senator Gavan made reference to the two car family and Senator Horkan referred to frequency and availability. People want that. To be fair to the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, Transport Ireland and the NTA, there is a willingness to bring that real need and desire to fruition with Bus Connects, in the case of regions outside of Dublin as well as Dublin. That is important. It is about enhancing connectivity for rural Ireland, and it is about the person. My father, who lives in Kilmichael, asks me every night how does one get the bus to go to Cork. It is about ensuring connectivity, frequency of service and choice.

I thank the Minister of State for being here tonight and my colleagues for their participation in the debate. I hope that the motion will be accepted. I understand the reasons the Minister of State made those remarks on Senator Boyhan's amendment. I hope that in time we can come back to the issue of the dedicated public transport policing authority or force. We see it in other countries and cities where it has worked quite well on public transport.

I thank the Minister of State for her time, commitment, accessibility and engagement with us. I commend the motion to the House.