Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said the government is failing to keep Dublin workers and commuters safe, and reiterated Sinn Féin’s call for a dedicated Garda transport unit.

Deputy O’Reilly was commenting after she raised the findings of a National Transport Authority (NTA) survey in the Dáil today.

The survey found that complaints of anti-social behaviour on the Luas more than doubled last year and now stand at their highest rate in a decade.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“According to the just published NTA report, complaints of antisocial behaviour on the Luas have more than doubled in the last year, and are now at their highest level in a decade.

“The number of complaints about anti-social behaviour made to the Luas call centre rose from 1,001 in 2022 to 2,159 last year, an increase of 116%.

“The figures show that commuters feel unsafe around Luas stops in particular, and that women are more likely to feel unsafe than men. The levels of violence and harassment are totally unacceptable.

“Sinn Féin has committed to the establishment of a dedicated transport unit within An Garda Síochana, and I am calling on the government to respond to these findings with plans to establish this much needed dedicated transport unit.

“Sinn Féin have been demanding a dedicated public transport policing unit since 2021. This is particularly crucial for people living and working in Dublin.

“Communities deserve to feel safe and protected, however too many people in our capital city feel unsafe and badly let down by the government.

“Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Transport, Martin Kenny TD, has raised the issue of a public transport policing division continuously with the Minister for Transport, the junior minister for Transport, and the Minister for Justice.

“Each time, all three government parties have denied any need whatsoever for a dedicated public transport police.

“At his party’s Ard Fheis in April, after years of campaigning by Sinn Féin, trade unions and commuters, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that Fianna Fáil would, in fact, finally support the introduction of such a transport policing unit.

“That was over two months ago now, and we have seen no action taken since.

“We know that this government has a habit of telling people what they want to hear without any follow-through. This must not be allowed to happen with this important issue.

“What we need to see from the government now is a detailed plan, with a timeline for delivery, as a matter of priority.

“A Sinn Féin government would stand up for Dublin and ensure that our capital city gets the support it needs to thrive. People in Dublin should be able to feel safe and protected on public transport and throughout the city.”