Micheál Martin and Eamon Ryan at odds over transport policing

Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan: 'I don’t believe in a separate transport police, and certainly, all evidence that’s been presented to me by the various Government departments is arguing against that.' Picture: Nick Bradshaw/PA

Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan are at odds over the setting up of a service dedicated to public transport policing.

Mr Martin believes the Government needs to look “very seriously” at a public transport police service and expressed disappointment that it has not progressed so far.

He added that Fianna Fáil would push for the policy to be included in any future programme for government.

“It seems to me, given the expansion of public transport, we should look at the idea of a dedicated police transport.

“That may not necessarily have to come under the framework of An Garda Síochána,” Mr Martin said, citing airport police. “We believe we need to look at this now very seriously.

"Whether or not we can get it done in the next 12 months or so is a separate question, but I think definitely, as far as Fianna Fáil is concerned, we’re disappointed that it hasn’t happened in this phase of Government.”

Asked if it would be possible to establish a public transport police before the Government completes its term, Mr Martin said that preparations could be made.

“I think we could make efforts to do it, certainly. We could start the preparations without question.”

However, Mr Ryan is at odds with the Tánaiste, saying that he does not believe there is a need for a standalone public transport police.

“The advice from An Garda Síochána, the advice from the Department of Justice, the advice from my own department, is very strong that creating a new transport police wouldn’t necessarily improve the policing of public transport systems,” the transport minister said.

Mr Ryan did acknowledge that safety on public transport is an issue, saying that both the safety of passengers and drivers is “paramount”. The minister said: 

There are instances where drivers and passengers are seriously intimidated, abused, and that cannot be tolerated. 

Mr Ryan said it would be better to “work within the existing system” and introduce improvements and enhancements.

“There is an issue, we have to address it.

“It may require, like so many different areas, more boots on the ground from An Garda Síochána, but I don’t believe in a separate transport police, and certainly, all evidence that’s been presented to me by the various Government departments is arguing against that.”

Asked directly if he agreed with Mr Martin, Mr Ryan said: “No”.

However, both leaders have played down reports of a row last week, after Fianna Fáil made over €2bn worth of budget promises during their ard fheis earlier this month.

Mr Martin denied outright that there had been a row between himself and Mr Ryan, saying that the Green Party leader’s comments had been made “in jest”.

“There was no row at the party leaders’ meeting,” the Tánaiste said.

Mr Martin added that the Green Party was “no different” to other political parties on budget promises, while continuing: “Eamon is not for the faint-hearted when it comes to spending — right into the long term.”

The transport minister told reporters on Saturday that the electorate is not “won over by easy false promises”, warning coalition figures against early budget speculation.