Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made in recent months with regard to the proposed transport security force for public transport, as set out in the Programme for Government; and for an update on this progress in conjunction with the Minister for Justice. [22880/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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There is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport Security Force under the NTA, which would operate and have similar powers to Airport Police and Customs Officers.

Work in the my Department is ongoing around identifying the necessary legislative proposals to progress the Transport Security Force commitment, in conjunction with the NTA.

The decisions regarding the appropriate model for the Transport Security Force are currently ongoing and in the preliminary stages of the deliberative process, however it is important to note that the introduction of such a force will require the development of legislation, which can have a significant lead time.

Nonetheless, the Government commitment to delivering a safe and secure public transport network, and the ongoing interim work on public transport safety, will continue, as will the continued support and funding for operator measures – such as the recent extension of the Dublin Bus Security Pilot Scheme.

Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.

We will continue to work with all stakeholders to provide safe, sustainable public transport.