Vol. 529 No. 1
1067 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will meet the recently established Tallaght Public Transport Forum to discuss the ongoing problem with public disorder on some Tallaght bus routes; his views on the need to increase Garda resources to effectively deal with the problem of vandalism and violence on some Tallaght bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2093/01]
As the Deputy will appreciate the allocation of Garda resources, and the policing of public disorder are operational matters which are the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. I understand from the Garda authorities that local Garda management have been meeting Dublin Bus management and union representatives on a monthly basis for the past number of years. The most recent meeting was 8 January 2001. At this meeting, Dublin Bus personnel expressed themselves as being very satisfied with the Garda in relation to response to incidents on their buses and Garda co-operation in general.
At each meeting, Dublin Bus management produce details of incidents for the previous month, and from a very early stage, it has been emphasised to the union representatives that they should report criminal damage or abusive behaviour.
Over the Christmas 2000 period, incidents increased and a number of arrests were made. Many incidents related to young people in the 12 – 16 years age group. I understand that the principal Garda concern is tackling the incidents related to the 77 bus route along Cheeverstown Road-Brookfield to Jobstown terminus where bus windows have been kicked out.
