Seanad debates
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Commencement Matters
Garda Deployment
10:30 am
Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, back to the House. He has been spending a long time with us.
Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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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.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to be here in the Seanad this morning to discuss this issue. I thank Senator Humphreys for raising this important issue which I am pleased the Seanad is turning its attention towards. I understand Senator Humphrey refers to the deployment of gardaí on our transport infrastructure. I must advise the Senator that the allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter solely for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. I do not have any role in that regard, and I think Senator Humphreys accepts that. However, I assure the House, and Senator Humphreys in particular, that I brought this issue to the attention of An Garda Síochána for its consideration and for any action deemed necessary in the circumstances.
In terms of tackling this particular form of crime, I am advised by An Garda Síochána and its management that it engages extensively with transport operators. A range of regional and local operations have been put in place to address incidents and issues that have arisen at specific locations. There is ongoing communication between An Garda Síochána and the respective control centres. Access to good quality closed circuit television, CCTV, tapes helps to provide assistance to gardaí when investigating serious incidents, such as was seen recently in Clongriffin in Dublin. Furthermore, Senators will be aware that An Garda Síochána already employs a wide range of operational measures aimed at tackling public order offences and anti-social behaviour. These measures are underpinned by the existence of a comprehensive legal framework, which assists the Garda in tackling this type of crime.
Addressing local community concerns about public order and anti-social behaviour is a key focus in An Garda Síochána's national community policing model. A range of strong legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána in this regard, including the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003, and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 2003 and 2008. For its part, the Government remains committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has all the necessary resources to tackle all forms of criminality in our communities. In this context, the House will be aware that some €1.65 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote for this year, while €98.5 million has been allocated as provision for Garda overtime this year. This will assist the Garda and its operations to tackle this form of criminal behaviour.
The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country and cities in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure the vision of an overall workforce in An Garda Síochána of 21,000 members by 2021 remains firmly on track.
Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I acknowledge there have been improvements since the reopening of the Garda training college, and there is a certain amount of catching-up that has to be done in regard to numbers due to the numbers of gardaí retiring and the large throughput at the college. I also acknowledge the increase in the budget and the target of increasing Garda numbers to 21,000 by 2021. I acknowledge that it takes time to put trained staff on the ground.
This is not a new problem. SIPTU has campaigned for 20 years for a dedicated transport police. I understand that Garda resources must be targeted and take account of developments nationally. That is why the time is right to have a conversation about a dedicated transport police. Having a Garda presence on our transport system will prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour. The number of unmanned train services has to be taken into consideration.
I am not thumping the table here and demanding immediate action. The Garda has demands on its time and must deploy resources as it sees fit. Our community policing has done a good service in many of our communities, where it has been dedicated to building relationships in the community. Similarly, a dedicated transport police could, with a clear focus on the transport authority, reduce anti-social behaviour and give confidence to customers travelling on trains at night, while also reassuring the workers. I hope this is the beginning of a conversation and that the Minister will find, when he examines this matter, that there are opportunities to improve the safety and security of citizens on public transport.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Humphreys for raising this important issue. It is clear from his contribution that he has strong views on the matter, and he is right. It is important we work together to eradicate this type of unacceptable behaviour from our society. As I indicated, it is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and his management team to deploy Garda resources, including personnel, in line with all new and emerging crime trends in the State.I do not have a direct role in this but I have brought the views of Senator Humphreys to the attention of An Garda Síochána for its appropriate consideration. I am advised that close contact is being maintained with local and senior management, Irish Rail and other transport providers. An Garda Síochána has a very good working relationship with the public transport service providers within the district. There are patrols of uniformed and plain-clothes gardaí, including personnel on foot patrols, and other community engagement duties are maintained in the vicinity of what have been described as hotspots, where such incidents have historically occurred.
I assure the Senator that I remain in ongoing contact with the Commissioner with regard to Garda actions to tackle all forms of crime and criminality across the State. I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has all the necessary resources required to deal with all types of criminality, including the unacceptable behaviour referred to by Senator Humphreys.