RECRUITMENT FOR A new dedicated public transport police could begin by the end of next year, according to Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien. 

Speaking on Newstalk this morning, the minister said he has been working with his counterpart, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, on introducing legislation to create a uniformed, security transport unit.

The transport security officers will have powers of arrest and detention, confirmed the minister, who said it is being looked at if new legislation can also give them power of pursuit. 

“We have started the work already on the creation of a transport security force,” O’Brien said today, stating that the force will will be separate to the gardaí, but will supplement the work the gardaí.

“This will be a state security force,” said the minister, stating that it will be akin to the airport police which are already in operation. 

‘Serious concern’

Anti-social behaviour on public transport is a “matter of serious concern”, said the minister. 

Getting the legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas and beginning recruitment will take around nine to 12 months, O’Brien said. 

Setting up a public transport police unit is one of the pledges made in the Programme for Government developed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and a group of Independents. 

O’Callaghan pointed out earlier this year that the proposed public transport police force must have the powers of arrest in order to be a “functioning and effective force”.

The push for a dedicated transport security force stems from growing concerns about safety on public transport, especially during late-night travel.

However, speaking on radio today, O’Brien said: 

“Those who don’t use public transport have a worse perception of it but it is one of the reasons why people who don’t use it, don’t use it.” 

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However, he acknowledged there is a need for a security force to be established for public transport, stating there are “certain backspots” of particular concern. 

‘Ensuring people are safe’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin told The Journal prior to the election last year that there should be no such obstacles to getting the force up and running. 

“In my view, we’re going to have more and more public transport. We’re going to have a Metro in the fullness of time. We’re going to have expanding Luas and so on, the Dart and all of that. We’ll have more buses, and therefore, if it’s to work, we’ve got to make sure that people are secure and safe,” he said. 

Separately, the transport minister also confirmed that he is looking at expanding regulations around e-scooters. 

In the UK, e-scooter owners could be forced to carry a license and face firmer restrictions under proposed new regulation plans. O’Brien said he is looking at introducing the same measures here in the Republic of Ireland.