Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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1632. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had regarding increasing powers to security on public transport; if those discussions involved improved standards of training for staff or the introduction of an airport police type model; the rationale for his approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31685/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand Transdev, who operate Luas under contract to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the Railway Procurement Agency, and the National Transport Authority (NTA), have, over the past few months, been considering the practicalities, advantages and disadvantages of appointing security staff as Authorised Officers pursuant to section 66B of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001.

This is one of several options that Transdev are considering to improve security on Luas.  The matter is still under consideration and, at this stage, a final decision has not yet been made.

Iarnród Éireann has also been considering the option of appointing security staff as authorised officers pursuant to section 129 of the Railway Safety Act 2005. They are considering the practicalities of this option along with other initiatives to improve security on their network.