The commitment to establish a Transport Security Force, as outlined in the new Programme for Government, was reaffirmed by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, at a meeting of the Public Transport Safety Working Group, held by the Department of Transport on 25 March.
This was the third meeting of the group, which was established in 2024 to identify measures to improve passenger and staff safety across the public transport network. It includes representatives from across the public sector including the National Transport Authority (NTA); the unions; An Garda Síochána; the Department of Justice, in addition to passenger representative groups.
Minister O’Brien discussed the important issue of safety on public transport directly with the group at the meeting and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to tackling the issue of antisocial behaviour across the network. Creating a Transport Security Force under the NTA is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government. It is envisaged that the Transport Security Force would operate in a similar manner, and have similar powers, to Airport Police and Customs Officers.
While there has been a significant increase in investment in safety measures on public transport in recent years, it remains a serious issue. It is the people who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly affected by any safety or security incidents on the network. The establishment of the Transport Security Force will play a central role in helping to tackle this important issue.
Minister O’Brien confirmed that the Department of Transport has already started work “to identify the necessary legislative proposals and alterations to enable the establishment of the Transport Security Force”, and highlighted the important role that the group will play in the planning and implementation of this commitment.
“The establishment of the Transport Security Force is a high priority for Government. I fully support all ongoing positive work, including the meetings of this Group, that contributes towards creating a safer public transport network for staff and passengers,” the Minister noted.
SIPTU’S RESPECT TRANSPORT WORKERS CAMPAIGN
SIPTU’s transport police proposal was included in the Programme for Government published in January 2025, and seeking a swift delivery on this undertaking is now the main focus of the trade union’s ‘Respect Transport Workers’ campaign.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to establish a new transport police service with powers of arrest and under the control of the National Transport Authority, which is in line with the union’s ‘Travel Safe’ policy document published last year.
“The creation of a new transport policing service was the central aim of the SIPTU Respect Transport Workers campaign, and that the Government has committed to creating such a service modelled on the airport police is a step in the right direction.”
Pictured at the launch of SIPTU’s ‘Respect Transport Worker’ campaign in Liberty Hall in February 2024 (l-r): SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane, SIPTU Dublin Bus Shop Steward Susanne Armstrong, and Dublin Bus worker and SIPTU National Executive Council, Stephen Millane.
IRISH RAIL’S TRAVEL SAFE POLICY
Irish Rail worker and SIPTU National Executive Council member, Tommy Wynne said: “The issue of anti-social behaviour and violence on the public transport network has intensified since the pandemic. In our Travel Safe policy, we outlined the international best practice in terms of policing public transport and detailed how a transport policing service can be created in Ireland. We are pleased the Government has taken this advice on board.
“Making a transport police service a reality must now be the key aim of all stakeholders in the public transport sector. SIPTU representatives are prepared to work closely and quickly with all bodies to make this much-needed service an effective force for dealing with anti-social activity on our public transport network.”
He added: “We will be calling on the Government to include our proposal for Public Transport Assistance Units within the new service. These are specifically trained social care intervention officers to deal with those causing a public disturbance on the public transport network but who are more applicable for intervention in relation to underlying social care issues, such as substance abuse and homelessness, rather than within a purely legal framework.”
The Transport Minister has said that the new transport security force will initially operate on both the Luas and rail lines.
