Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has discussed the establishment of a Garda public transport unit with the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20749/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.

The safety and security of public transport passengers and staff are matters for the individual public transport companies in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána. Decisions regarding a transport police unit and the allocation of Garda resources are matters for the Minister of Justice and the Garda Commissioner.

Previously, my predecessor wrote to the Minister for Justice to seek their views on how the issue of anti-social behaviour on our public transport system could be best addressed. In their response, the Department of Justice advised that the views of An Garda Síochána are that effective local community policing can meet the policing needs of the public transport network and that the Garda authorities do not propose to establish a specialist or dedicated transport policing unit at this time.