Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of antisocial behaviour and public safety. I draw the House's attention to a public transport safety survey that my colleagues and I conducted over the summer months, to which we had more than 1,300 respondents, largely from across the Dublin area. Of those who responded, 93% had witnessed antisocial behaviour on public transportation; 36% were victims of antisocial behaviour; 63% said they did not report the antisocial behaviour; and almost 80% favoured our proposal, which is to have a dedicated Garda unit on public transportation.

We need a debate on antisocial behaviour and public safety. We are investing significant amounts of public funds into public transportation, as is right from an environmental and social perspective, but we have to make it safe. People will not use public transportation if they do not feel safe.This survey gives a clear message from the users of public transport. They do not feel safe. They experience far too much antisocial behaviour and they want gardaí dedicated to making our public transport safer. I would appreciate if that could be arranged.