Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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416. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the process of implementing the public transport security force referenced in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47084/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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. The establishment of the Transport Security Force will play a central role in helping to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport.

My Department is currently working on identifying the necessary legislative proposals to progress the Transport Security Force commitment, in conjunction with the NTA and the relevant stakeholder cohort. The decisions regarding the appropriate model for the Transport Security Force are currently being examined and it is a priority for me that this work will be progressed as quickly as feasible.

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

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