Personnel assigned to a forthcoming dedicated public transport security unit are set to receive powers of arrest and pursuit.
In a briefing to the Oireachtas Transport Committee on Wednesday, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said that substantial new legislation would be essential to support the proposal.
“I intend the transport security force will have powers of arrest and pursuit,” O’Brien said.
“But they will work closely with An Garda Síochána because there is only one police force in the Republic.”
The Minister said the unit would not function as “another An Garda Síochána” but would instead draw inspiration from the current airport police service.
He noted that additional factors must be addressed because the airport police operate within a clearly defined and limited location.
O’Brien cautioned that the process of setting up the transport sector security unit would prove “complex” and involve significant legislative work.
“I hate using the word complex,” he said.
“That seems like a reason not to do it tomorrow – but it is complex. But a lot of work has happened within the department. We have to land on the exact model but it will be centrally controlled through the National Transport Authority.”
The Fianna Fáil Minister confirmed that the Departments of Transport and Justice were in agreement on the matter and would be cooperating to bring it to fruition.
O’Brien indicated that the proposed agency would be overseen centrally by the National Transport Authority and would cover services including trains, buses, and trams.
The commitment to create a transport security force appeared in last year’s Programme for Government, which was agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Government-supporting independents.
Reports suggest that officers in the new unit might be able to chase suspects away from a Luas tram or hold them in place until actual Gardaí arrive.
Significant input is expected from both the Oireachtas transport and justice committees as the plan progresses.
The development comes as anti-social behaviour on rail and bus services has been a recurring issue raised by both passengers and transport unions in recent years.
Current security on Irish public transport is largely provided by private firms who do not possess powers of arrest beyond those of an ordinary citizen. The establishment of a dedicated unit with specific statutory powers would represent a significant shift in how safety is managed on the national transport network.
Notably, while the creation of a public transport police force appeared in Fianna Fáil’s 2024 general election manifesto, this was at least the fifth time that this plan had appeared in one of the party’s election manifestos, dating back to 2016.
FF’s ‘public transport Gardaí’ pledge appears in manifesto for the fifth time
Figures indicate that antisocial behaviour incidents on Dublin Bus have doubled in the past 5 years.