Plans in the Programme for Government to introduce Transport Police welcomed by SIPTU

Plans to establish a transport police in the Programme for Government have been welcomed by unions.  SIPTU says the introduction of the service, which would have the power to arrest in a similar fashion to the airport police, is long overdue and will protect transport workers.  The union is looking to meet the next Transport Minister to ensure the measure is brought in as a matter of urgency. There have been regular reports of anti-social behaviour on many train services in recent times while earlier this month a man was arrested at Connolly Station in Dublin following a report of a male passenger in possession of a suspected firearm on a train entering into the station from Sligo.  Adrian Kane from SIPTU says the new force needs to be given the teeth to be able to deal with anti-social behaviour and violence on public transport: