Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel, is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. This would include the establishment of a dedicated Garda Transport Division for our public transport systems.

However, I can advise the Deputy that on foot of representations received from my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Trade and Sport and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) in relation to this issue as well as incidents of anti-social behaviour on the rail network, the views of the Garda Commissioner have been sought. I look forward to examining any suggestions the Commissioner might have in this regard.

More generally, I am advised that An Garda Síochána has a close working relationship with transport operators and together they are tackling any instances of anti-social behaviour head-on. 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 Gardaí and the respective control centres, and access to good quality CCTV helps provide assistance to Gardaí when investigating serious incidents.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána already employs a wide range of operational measures aimed at tackling public-order offences and anti-social behaviour. Close contact is being maintained with local and senior management with Irish Rail and other transport providers. Gardaí have a good working relationship with the public transport services providers within the District and patrols of uniformed and plain-clothes Gardaí, including personnel on foot patrols and other community engagement duties are maintained in the vicinity of the area where such incidents occur.