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Motion for dedicated transport police to go before the Dáil

Sinn Féin is bringing forward a Dáil motion later, calling for a transport police unit and other changes
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

07.51 25 Oct 2022


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Motion for dedicated transport...

Motion for dedicated transport police to go before the Dáil

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

07.51 25 Oct 2022


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Sinn Féin has said a dedicated transport policing unit is needed if more people are to use the services.

The party is bringing forward a motion in the Dáil later, calling for a transport police unit and other changes.

The party's spokesperson on transport, Darren O'Rourke, told Newstalk Breakfast this has been talked about at length.

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"We're bringing a motion to the Dáil tonight to address a number of the issues in public transport services," he said.

"We know, and it has been the topic of discussion at a number of levels, including in the Dáil... talking about the need for a dedicated public transport police."

'A threat to users'

Deputy O'Rourke said this is "because of the increase in rates of anti-social behaviour and crime on public transport, and the impact that's having on people.

"The fact that it's a threat to workers, a threat to service users, and also a deterrent for many people for using public transport, at a time when we want to significantly increase the amount of people who are actually using public transport."

He said this is part of Sinn Féin's policy.

"There would be a piece in terms of the operationalising of that and what it would actually look like, and that would have to be worked out, but we would deliver on that.

"I think there have been significant discussions in relation to what it might look like".

Connecting Ireland

The party wants to see the current price cuts across public transport to be permanent, as well as an extension of Short Hop Zones to cut costs further.

The motion also calls on the Government to commit to the urgent roll out of the Connecting Ireland rural bus plan.

Deputy O'Rourke explained: "[This] intends to deliver a service three-times a day, seven days a week to every population over 300 people.

"It's a comprehensive plan that went out to public consultation over a year ago.

"Our criticism of Government in relation to it is that the funding hasn't been provided to deliver on it.

"It's a €56 million plan; but in the first year of it, which is 2022, Government only allocated €5 million," he added.

Main image: A Garda on duty in Dublin city centre, with a moving Luas in the background, in December 2019. Picture by: Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

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