Jerry Buttimer
Cork South-Central · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Its priority is to provide scheduled public transport services on the TFI network. It works with event organisers, operators, local authorities and An Garda Síochána to provide additional transport supports where it is possible to do so.”
“I commit to relaying the points the Senator has made on the floor of the House, and has conveyed to me in private, to the Department of Transport. To be fair to the Senator, it was not only this morning that he has articulated this. The travelling supporters of Kerry and Mayo deserve additional transport.”
“I understand from the company that the Expressway team is currently examining whether additional services on route 22 will be added on the morning of Sunday, 26 July.”
“In this case, for Kerry and Mayo, as the Senator rightly said, it will see a high demand for scheduled and additional services. The Senator has outlined the volume of tickets sales. This is the busiest time for scheduled intercity services anyway, given that it is peak summer time, and that is a priority.”
“I understand from speaking to Irish Rail that it hopes to be in a position to confirm the number of additional services later this week - I am hoping this will be today or tomorrow - and it will advise customers as soon as these services are available to book.”
“The Senator mentioned Sneem and Ventry. He and I will remember our great friends, the late, great John Egan and Paudie O'Shea, as well as the Senator's brother Tim. I get emotional because they were great GAA people. Cork and Kerry have the best supporters of the GAA.”
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“The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the four-year window between 2026 and 2030 period, which cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area, will be considered on a rolling basis from autumn onwards, after the NDP allocations are finalised. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. I will bring back the Deputy's remarks on the figures he has raised. If he wants to give them to me I will happily give them to the Minister again.”
“Helen’s senior national school, which are both at stage 1 or initial design. As part of the national development plan review process, all Departments, including the Department of education, are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with respect to NDP allocations for the period from 2026 to 2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow the Department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period, in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important.”
“Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision approved €210 million supplementary capital funding for the Department, which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for the Department to €1.6 billion. The Department currently has a school building project for Malahide Portmarnock ETNS, which is at stage 2b or planning stage of the architectural process. This project is for a new 16 mainstream classroom primary school, with four special educational needs classrooms to accommodate pupils with special educational needs. The Department also has two additional school accommodation projects to provide additional capacity in the area, namely for St. Nicholas of Myra national school, and St.”
“The SPA enrolments are projected to peak in 2027 with enrolments decreasing thereafter. While the Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, including Portmarnock, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplication of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places. I have heard the Deputy regarding the matter he has raised here in terms of a deficit of places. Since 2020, the Department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects.”
“The annual enrolment process for new junior infants at primary and new first years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving 140,000 pupils. The Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a geographical information system to anticipate school place demand to plan for school place needs. Information from a range of sources, including child benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department's projections of school place requirements. Portmarnock school planning area, SPA, has five primary schools.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to remind the House on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth of the significant challenges facing us in meeting increasing demand for pupil places throughout the country. As the Deputy raised the issue of Portmarnock in the coming years, I am grateful for the opportunity to clarify the position on the provision of primary school places in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. I assure him that the provision of both mainstream and special education school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level is an absolute priority for the Department of Education and Youth.”
“The Minister can assure the Deputy that the matter will continue to receive the most urgent attention and Government will continue to work intensively and collaboratively to put in place an effective and efficient assessment of need system to deliver the service that children and their families need.”
“She has tasked officials within her Department to delve deeper and identify issues within the assessment of need system that are causing delays. She has also asked them to consider those large system-wide factors where parents feel their only option is to seek an assessment of need for their child. In addition, officials in her Department are working with HSE senior management and experienced clinicians to identify legislative changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency within the assessment of need process. It is important to note that any proposed changes will not affect the statutory right of any person to access an assessment of need.”
“I thank the Deputy again for raising this very important matter, which is a priority for the Minister and the Government. This is reflected in the current programme for Government, which includes a clear commitment to support families who are waiting for assessments of need and to ensure children and their families can access the supports they need. The Minister understands the scale of the challenge but is encouraged by the activity under way. This is delivering results in the increased number of completed assessments and ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity in the public system to deliver assessments of need. The Minister also knows that there is a lot more to be done, as the Deputy outlined.”
“It does not meet the needs of the parents the Deputy mentioned this morning. I accept that. Addressing the delays in accessing assessments of need and the growing backlog of applications is a challenging and complex issue. The Government is absolutely committed to addressing this to ensure that children who require an assessments of need receive it as soon as is practically possible.”
“We recognise there have been improvements, but there is more to be done. I accept the points the Deputy made. If she would like to give me the case studies she spoke about this morning, I will gladly bring them back to the Department for her. There is still a significant backlog with almost 15,300 assessment of need applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of March. This is an 8% increase on the number overdue at the end of 2024 and clearly shows the scale of the challenge. However, looking at the figures for HSE Mid West in particular, some progress can be seen. Although 434 applications were overdue at the end of March of this year, this is a decrease of 1.8% compared with the number overdue at the end of December. Although it is a small change, it is as step in the right direction.”
“However, we cannot rely on the private sector indefinitely and we need to support the public system to meet demand. Efforts are continuing to improve staffing in the public system through recruitment and retention actions. Looking at the CDNTs in particular, there has been clear progress with recent HSE data showing a decrease in CDNT vacancy rates from 29% in October 2023 to 18% in April of this year. The positive impact of these initiatives is becoming visible as regards the number of assessments of need completed. There was a 30% increase in the number of completed assessments last year compared with 2023, and in the first three months of this year, more than 1,400 assessments were completed nationally. That is a 65% increase compared with the same period last year.”
“In addition, officials are working with HSE senior management and experienced clinicians to identify legislative changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency within the assessment of needs process. It is important to note that any proposed changes will not affect the statutory right of any person to access an assessment of needs. Work is under way to deliver existing actions and address new ones to address the backlog. One such important action is the targeted waiting list initiative, which funds the procurement of capacity from private providers to deliver assessments of need, targeting those families waiting longest. HSE data show that more than 3,600 assessments were commissioned from private providers between June 2024 and the end of March this year under this initiative, which will continue to run for the rest of the year.”
“However, demand for assessments of needs continues to grow beyond the current capacity of the system to meet it. It is a stated priority of the Government to ensure a sustainable solution is put in place to address waiting times and waiting lists for assessments of needs. Officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are working to identify the delays and blockages that are resulting in children waiting too long for an assessment of need and to find the most effective means of addressing them. This is likely to involve operational changes, increased staffing resources, better IT systems or outsourcing to the private sector where appropriate.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I apologise that the Minister is not here and that I do not have a copy of the speech for the Deputy. I will get it to her as soon as possible. Like her, I deal with parents and children every day and every week and she is right that there is frustration. We all need to work collaboratively to ensure access to services is improved and that parents and children who deserve to receive them do so. The Government is fully committed to addressing the challenge of the growing demand for assessments of needs. It is important to know that children do not require an assessment of needs to access health services, including those provided by primary care, children's disability network teams, CDNTs, or mental health services.”
“There is a second project, the delivery of phase 3 in a separate cross-Border link to provide a seamless connection between both projects. Notwithstanding the decision of the High Court in Belfast on 23 June to quash the decision to approve construction of the first phase of the project, the Government is committed and remains strong in its support in contributing to the successful delivery of the A5 project. The Government is also committed to developing the projects listed in the NDP that connect to the A5 including the Donegal TEN-T and N2 projects. I thank Deputy Gallagher for raising this matter.”
“Regarding the overarching matter raised by Deputy Gallagher, preliminary discussions have taken place on the establishment of the agreed cross-Border working group in relation to the continued development of the N2 from Clontibret to the Border and phase 3 of the M5. The A5 project has made significant progress over the past 12 months. According to the departmental statement, which is the Department for Infrastructure's formal and public response to the Planning Appeals Commission report, the latest public inquiry on the project was finalised in the summer of last year. Both jurisdictions are working collaboratively to address the key recommendations of the Planning Appeals Commission. Officials are working in the interim on a response in terms of a budgeting profile, while assisted by the €600 million from the Shared Island Fund.”
“I cannot give an answer about last week's meeting because I do not have that information but I will bring the Deputy's comments back. Regarding the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney route, as Deputy Gallagher is aware, the proposed project is an important one. It is about ensuring road safety is improved. The upgrade will enhance that road safety by reducing the number of direct access points and turning movements and by providing passing opportunities. It is currently suspended at the design and environmental phase of the TII project management guidelines subject to the ongoing NDP review. It is hoped the project will be allocated funding this year and next year.”
“I concur with the Deputy that the disappointment is felt on both sides of the Border because this is a project the Government is committed to. We want to see it advanced and that is ongoing.”
“The Department for Infrastructure in the North estimates the total scheme will cost €1.6 billion and in this capital project, the A5 upgrade scheme is subject to planning, assessment and approval processes in the North. There have been ongoing legal challenges during the period from 2012 until now, which have led to unavoidable and disappointing delays in the project. It is important to reaffirm to Deputy Gallagher that the Government is committed to the project. In the coming days, I assume we will sit down and discuss the matter with our counterparts in the North and I hope to see the project recommence. I take the Deputy's points and will bring back his comments about the need for the meetings between the relevant Departments here and in Stormont.”
“The N2 project secured connecting Europe facility funding in 2023, allowing the design and environmental phase to recommence. This is expected to be completed later this year. The project was allocated €3 million in 2025. The TEN-T project was allocated just over €2 million, and the finalising of the design and evaluation phase deliverables is ongoing. I reiterate our disappointment with the outcome. As the Deputy rightly said, the aim of the A5 western transport corridor, with the Northern Ireland Executive, is about improving the dual carriageway and links between the urban centres in Tyrone and Derry. It is a transport link for private and public transport between Dublin and the north west. The Deputy has used it at many key times.”
“While this further delay is clearly not desirable, it is hoped that the issues raised by the judgment will be addressed by the relevant Northern Ireland authorities in a timely fashion. While the timeline for delivery of the A5 project is still uncertain, particularly after this judgment, the provision of £25 million made by the Department of Transport in 2025 for funding the scheme remains, should it be required. Furthermore, as part of Government funding commitments for shared island projects, €600 million was committed to the progression of the A5 project in February 2024. The Government is still committed to that. Transport Infrastructure Ireland continues to progress related schemes, such as the N2 Clontibret road to the Border and the Donegal TEN-T projects.”
“In October 2024, the Northern Ireland Executive gave approval for the first phase of the project to proceed. In preparation for the main construction contracts, advance works over its 55 km length in the form of site clearance, fencing and the setting up of compounds commenced in January. This work is now well advanced. However, contracts for the main construction works were not entered into, pending the outcome of the court hearing. The Department for Infrastructure received a formal legal challenge to the project, with a date fixed for a court hearing on 18 March 2025. On 23 June 2025, the High Court in Belfast ruled in favour of the legal challenge. The Minister for Infrastructure will now consider this judgment.”
“Ar an gcéad dul síos, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta as ucht an rúin seo a chur os ár gcomhair. Tuigim an díomá atá air agus ar a lán daoine de bharr an chinnidh a rinneadh san Ardchúirt i mBéal Feirste. Tá an ceart ag an Teachta. Is bóthar tábhachtach agus an-chontúirteach an A5. Thug an Rialtas tacaíocht don bhóthar agus táimid ag leanúint leis an tacaíocht sin. Beimid ag obair leis an gCéad-Aire i mBéal Feirste. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. He is right, in that it is a very important road. I am not going to read the full script setting out the history of the project because it is well known to all of us in the House. We recognise the importance of the A5. Suffice it to say, the public inquiry into the scheme by the Planning Appeals Commission concluded in 2023.”
“Deputy Aird has made a good point tonight. I am sure the advocacy work that he is doing and will continue to do will be well received in the Department. We hear the Deputy tonight, but I remind him that the two road projects I have listed are under way. Laois County Council has appointed a technical adviser and tenders are being assessed. It is important that Laois County Council engages in the NDP review.”
“I hear loud and clear Deputy Aird's advocacy for the importance of this route. I remind him that this Government under the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I has seen a further €2.9 million for the protection and renewal of the road network and we are investing €1 billion in new national road projects over the coming decade. I also say regarding the NDP review that it is up to all local authorities to work with TII and the Department to ensure projects get consideration. I hear the Deputy on sustainability and the issue of traffic gridlock and road safety, but the programme for Government contains a commitment to increase funding for new roads as part of the NDP review, as I have said. That is about ensuring we see town bypasses completed and we see work continue and carried out on regional connectivity.”
“I remind Deputy Aird and Members that it is up to any council, including Laois County Council, to submit and engage with TII on the review of the NDP. I encourage it to do that, and I am happy to work with the Deputy on the matter. However, he raises valid and pertinent points this evening.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. He makes pertinent points about the orbital route and the traffic congestion. I remind him that Laois County Council received an allocation of more than €1.1 million this year for protection and renewal of the county's road network. With regard to the N80 road safety improvement project in Portlaoise town, including the Mountmellick Road and James Fintan Lalor Avenue, a technical adviser has been appointed, and a feasibility and options report seeking funding for the project is underway. TII is awaiting a submissions report and anticipates that Laois County Council will submit a report seeking funding by the end of this year. On the Stradbally N80 pavement project, tenders are being assessed and it is expected that works will be completed later this year.”
“Work is currently under way within the Department of Transport to contribute to the review of the NDP, with input from TII and other agencies.”
“With regard to the progression of projects such as these, it is important to point out to the Deputy and the House that it is for the local authority, in the first instance, to engage with TII. I assure the Deputy that Department of Transport officials and TII will give any proposal for the progression of these projects full consideration. All projects, including those listed in the NDP or any revision to the NDP, require statutory approval and compliance with the infrastructure guidelines. The programme for Government contains a commitment to increase funding for new roads as part of the NDP review. This would include funding for town bypasses, such as those outlined by Deputy Aird, which improve regional connectivity and promote compact growth in our town centres.”
“However, a proposed bypass of Mountmellick, unfortunately for Deputy Aird, is not included among the projects that are identified for development during the current NDP timeframe and therefore it was not possible to advance the proposed project at that time. The Portlaoise northern orbital route project was originally proposed during the 2000s and was to be funded by private developers at the time. However, following the subsequent recession and the funding stream no longer being available, the project was not progressed. While it is referenced by Laois County Council in its draft local area plan, it was not included in the current NDP due to issues of funding.”
“I thank the Deputy for the question and for his ongoing advocacy for his county of Laois. The Government has earmarked approximately €5.1 billion for investment in new national roads projects between 2021 and 2030 and a further €2.9 billion for the protection and renewal of the network. I can confirm that approximately €600 million of Exchequer capital funding was provided to local authorities through TII for national roads in 2025. Regarding the Mountmellick bypass, in 2022 Laois County Council concluded the preliminary appraisal of options process in relation to a bypass of the town.”
“I have spoken to the former Ministers, Ms Coughlan and Mr. Dukes, in Donegal and Kildare. We will work to ensure that the feedback we receive and review will be the modus operandi we will use in the future in terms of policy. I will be happy to talk to the Deputy and meet with any group in Kerry he wants me to meet.”
“As the Deputy will be aware from the situation in his county, there are regular rural services and demand-responsive services. These allow passengers to travel from their local villages and towns for business, shopping, healthcare or to connect with the national bus and train network. We are committed in the context of the provision of rural transport to engaging further with stakeholders. As per the Indecon report, we will examine the effectiveness of the existing operations and look at the organisational structure and the governance of our rural transport programme. We will base our recommendations on the outcomes from that and carry out an extensive network of engagement. I have been in Longford, I have been in Waterford and I have been in parts of Cork. I have met with the companies.”
“As the Deputy knows, it is about the balance between the demand response and enhancing rural services. As the Indecon report shows, we are committed to a review of governance, performance and structure. We will also be influenced by extensive stakeholder engagement. I have travelled the country and met many of the companies.”
“The Deputy's question is different from the one that was submitted. To provide one figure, under this Government and the last Government, we have seen an increase in funding for the rural transport programme. It has gone from €16 million in 2022 to €25 million last year. As the Deputy will know quite well, we have seen growth in his county of Kerry. For example, route 280 from Waterville to Killorglin was enhanced to improve frequency. We have seen a vast number of other routes being increased across the country. Route 278 from Fenit to Tralee has seen a new service operate seven times daily from Monday to Sunday. The route operates a peak-time and evening service for commuters and provides an additional evening service on Friday and Saturday.”
“I thank Deputy Daly for his question. Infrastructure is a matter that has been raised by many Local Link companies. Arising from the Indecon review, it is important that we look at the issues the Deputy has raised in consultation with TFI and the NTA. They are valid concerns but there are also issues in respect of safety, the suitability of certain stops' locations and certain signage. I will work with the Deputy and my colleagues in the Department to ensure the concerns the Deputy has raised are taken on board. They have also been expressed to me by some of the people concerned. If Deputy Daly would like to give me details of the issues in west Kerry, I would be happy to talk to him about them. I will also come down to visit if the Deputy would like me to.”
“I am sure this will form just one of many Topical Issue debates we will have on this because it is becoming an issue in many parts of the country, not just in the two areas outlined this morning.”
“It sought feedback from the public on several key areas including how to respond to public concerns about the increased use of drones, how to position Ireland as a potential front-runner in the emerging sector and how to future-proof responsible development of the drone industry. I will convey to the Department the points made by both Deputies because they fit into that public consultation feedback. The policy framework must, and does, seek to balance between realising the benefits of the development and managing public concerns about the increasing use of drones, as articulated by both Members this morning. I thank Deputies Coppinger and Gannon for bringing the matter before us.”
“As she said, the drones may not be flying as high, because of the regulations, but they are flying lower and that is causing a challenge. The programme for Government, as the Deputies well know, includes a commitment to finalise and publish a policy framework for drones and guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations and managing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework recognises the importance of collaboration and the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders. The foundation of the policy framework is a cross-governmental Department engagement and is informed by both public and industry consultation. Last year, a public consultation was held.”
“I thank Deputies Gannon and Coppinger. Aviation, as we know, is a highly regulated industry. There is a comprehensive legislative framework both at European and national levels to generate and regulate safe drone operations. The rapid pace of drone innovation and commercialisation is creating challenges, which the Government will meet. There has been engagement with the IAA. The Government is completely aware that the impact of a growing drone sector, with an increase in the volume of drone operations, requires further consideration. I will bring the concerns back and particularly the piece around autism because Deputy Gannon makes a very good point. I will also take back the points Deputy Coppinger made. It is about the noise being consistent.”
“It also includes a section on privacy rights, which draws the attention of drone operators to preparing a data protection impact assessment where required in accordance with the EU general data protection regulation. That is about ensuring the points made by Deputy Coppinger are fulfilled and complied with. I will bring the Deputies’ comments back to the Department. It is important we have privacy, protect wildlife and ensure the regulations are upheld.”
“I completely concur with her on that matter. This type of authorisation is recognised in all EU member states. To obtain an operational authorisation, an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio, which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations. These might include, for example, co-ordination with air traffic control or fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system. At a national level, SI 24/2023, Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023, came into force on 2 February 2023, replacing an earlier drones order. It states the investigative and enforcement powers of the IAA and provides for arrangements between An Garda Síochána and the IAA in respect of enforcement of EU drone regulations.”
“Under the EU regulatory regime, drone operations are classified into three broad categories - open, specific and certified - with different regulatory considerations applied in each category. Commercial drone operations may fall into any one of the categories depending on the risk associated with the operation. Low-risk commercial drone operations, such as aerial photography, may fall into the open category where the regulation and oversight of operations are lighter. Other commercial drone operations, such as the drone delivery operations mentioned by Deputy Coppinger, are more closely regulated. These type of commercial drone operations may fall into the medium-risk “specific” category, which may require specific authorisation by the IAA. I agree with Deputy Coppinger; there must be other ways of carrying out home delivery.”
“Regulation 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, including the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely. This regulation also seeks to foster investment and innovation in this sector through a harmonised framework across the European Union. The aim of the EU drone regulations is to achieve the same level of safety for drone operations as in manned aviation. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of the EU drone regulations and standards. The drone regulations are operation-centric and focus on the risk of drone operations, such that regulation is lighter on low-risk operations and more demanding on higher risk operations.”
“Two drone-specific EU regulations ensure drone operations across Europe are safe and secure, namely, EU Regulation 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/947. Both set out common rules for the regulation of drone operators including training, licensing and registration. The points by Deputies Gannon and Coppinger about the persistent noise and privacy are ones that we should listen to carefully because they are being articulated by many people. We are all in favour of innovation. I hope a solution will be found. I will relay Deputy Gannon’s comments about the residents he has met. Regulation 2019/947 sets out operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure.”
“I thank Deputies Gannon and Coppinger for raising this important issue. It is one that will become more prevalent. For many of us who live in areas adjacent to airports, it is an ongoing issue. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. I am taking this question for him this morning. From an aviation safety perspective, the regulation of both the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems as they are technically called, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland. I have listened to the concerns outlined by both Deputies and will bring them back to the Department. The IAA is working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and other member states in developing guidelines and regulations on drone noises.”
“What is important is that there is a commitment and engagement to reinforce the relationship between communities and An Garda Síochána. I reiterate the point about visibility. The Government fully supports this work and the ongoing engagement. We will continue to progress the legislation. I thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising these concerns. I will convey the points he made to the relevant people.”
“The Government is satisfied that each of the operators has increased its safety measures and introduced a number of initiatives in recent years to help to combat antisocial behaviour. For example, Irish Rail has contracted a security service provider for security across the network and developed a surge security action plan. It has also developed its relationship with An Garda Síochána to include access to 20 rapid response hubs that were created. The Luas has more than 50 full-time dedicated security staff, employed by Transdev, who work alongside revenue protection officers and customer assurance officers. Dublin Bus has three dedicated mobile security units that are in operation every day of the week, from midday to midnight.”
“I again reassure Deputy Ó Muirí that security and the visibility of policing on the public transport system and in city centres is critical. He is correct that there needs to be a commitment from the operators on the northside piece. I reassure him that the Minister for Transport, the Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I, as well as the Government, are acutely aware of how important it is for transport staff and the travelling public to feel safe. We are strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable, realistic and safe sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. The NTA and An Garda Síochána work closely with all public transport operators, who take the safety and security of both passengers and staff very seriously, to promote order and safety on board.”