Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2014
118. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps An Garda Síochána will be taking in the Dublin metropolitan region in conjunction with public transport operators over the Christmas and new year period to address potential incidents of anti-social behaviour on public transport. [46610/14]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that, while I have no direct role in Garda strategies to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on public transport services in Dublin, I can assure him that I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner about all aspects of policing and community safety.
In this regard, I am informed that local Garda Management engages extensively with transport operators in the Dublin area, including with the Railway Procurement Agency, Iarnród Eireann, Dublin Bus and Transdev (the Luas operator). Each Dublin Metropolitan Region Traffic Inspector is assigned as a point of contact for the public transport operators, and a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to address issues that have arisen at specific locations. Instances of anti-social behaviour are monitored by local Garda management with the assistance of Garda Síochána Analysis Service, which results in periodic operations aimed at anti-social behaviour on and around public transport routes. I am further advised that there is effective communication with the respective control centres and that access to good quality CCTV has also been of great assistance in the investigation of complaints.
I am assured that Gardaí closely monitors patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and the policing needs in the areas concerned to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. A proactive approach is taken to tackling anti-social behaviour and criminal activity including targeted operations and a high visibility priority policing presence at key locations and pertinent times. The existing excellent co-operation between Gardaí and transport operators will continue to underpin measures to address any issues of concern that may potentially arise during the Christmas period, including in relation to the volume of people using public transport and the occurrence of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
