New public transport security force to have powers of arrest

Michael Bolton

The Minister for Transport says he intends to give the new public transport security force powers of arrest and pursuit.

The Government has committed to creating a dedicated security force for public transport, and Darragh O'Brien says he is progressing the legislation required to give the new force its powers.

O'Brien says it will not be another An Garda Síochána, but it will be modelled on the airport police.

"What we've got to land on is the exact model. It will be centrally controlled to the NTA.

"I have met with the different transport operators to get their input to see what would work well.

"As we are doing this, all our transport operators are continuing to invest in their own private security. "

He has told an Oireachtas committee that significant legislative work will need to be done to give the transport force its power.

"The transport security force would have powers of arrest and pursuit. They will work closely with An Garda Síochána, because there is only one police force in the Republic."