Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to establish a dedicated transport police to ensure safety on public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33976/23]
View answerThe safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate.As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing decisions. As Minister, I am unable to direct the Commissioner in regards to deployment of resources. The Commissioner is on record as stating that he does not propose to establish a dedicated transport policing unit, as he is of the view that the policing needs of public transport can be better met through community policing.
I can also inform the Deputy the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, chaired by Minister of State Browne, met most recently on 27 June. The Department of Transport – which has now joined the Forum – gave a presentation on their initiatives to combat anti-social behaviour on public transport with valuable input from representatives of the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus.
I am advised that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place by Gardaí to prevent and detect criminal activity on public transport. For example, Operation Saul is implemented across the Dublin Region. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services in the DMR together with reassuring the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy all its amenities. Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned delivery of all working resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis.
Under Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent within the DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at Key High Risk periods of the year identified in the DMR Roads Policing Plan.
Finally, I understand that there is ongoing communication between An Garda Síochána and the transport control centres, and access to good quality CCTV can provide assistance to Gardaí when investigating serious incidents. Minister Harris recently opened the new Garda Síochána DMR Control Centre based at the National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station in Dublin. This state-of-the art new premises, which will house the operations of call takers and dispatchers, is another step forward in modernising An Garda Síochána and strengthening links with public transport operators. This call and dispatch centre, located on a floor in the new National Train Control Centre in Heuston Station, is the nerve centre to Garda operations in the Dublin Metropolitan region and the personnel working there are the people at the frontline taking sometimes the most challenging and time-sensitive calls.
