Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2014
271. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 23 September 2014, if she will provide her efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour on public transport services in Dublin; if she has met with senior management of An Garda Síochána about this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37768/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the Deputy that I am in regular contact with the Acting Commissioner about all aspects of policing and community safety with a view to ensuring that our cities and towns are safe for all.
Specifically, I am informed by the Garda authorities 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. In this regard, 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 cooperation between Gardaí and transport operators will continue to underpin efforts to address issues of concern.
