Victor Boyhan praises Melbourne Cup win, calls for transport policing

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge a very important, it's nice to start on a celebratory note, the important Irish jockey Robbie Dolan, of course, rides the Knight's Choice, and what a fantastic achievement in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, what a victory. And for someone who's interested in equestrian sport myself, I think it's a great opportunity to celebrate him, and I know, Leader, you are from Kildare yourself, and champion the equestrian and the Irish bloodstock industry, and it's a wonderful achievement. I had more emails, I think, mind you, from Tipperary than I had from Kildare this morning, in relation to this great victory, so I think it's an important victory. Did you have any money on the horse? No, no, no. Victor does outside bits on that. On a more serious note, I want to acknowledge that, and I think it's something we'll celebrate, and certainly, I think, in the equestrian world, it'll be celebrated. But on a more serious note, and back to business, folks, I want to acknowledge Duncan Smith, the Labour TD, who hosted the Transport Workers Union today, and others, and CIP2, because I think it's a very important piece of work, which is about a transport of police. And you will recall, many members here, and time is short, I brought proposals to this house for it, and they weren't supported. And I was delighted to read the other day where Micheál Martin has attributed to Micheál Martin his now commitment to a policing committee, so we've moved on. And you will also recall when I circulated to everyone in this house, women walking in red shoes, that powerful report of how women had been subject to vile abuse, sexual harassment, intimidation, and hate speech, and hate aggression in our public transport. And that was all articulated in that report. So what I would say is, can I say, let's not be calling any more ministers in here, let the parties get together, because we know what the record is. But now, more than ever, there's a need for dedicated community policing in our community in relation to public transport. And I would ask that people might reflect and use their influence, individual and different parties, to see it embedded into the election manifestos, with a view to it then being embedded into the next programme for government, whoever that may be, whoever they will be. And I wish all of you here, if I don't see it tomorrow, I'll be here tomorrow and the next day, but some of you have other business to do, and other committees, and I respect that. And I know you're other spokespersons, so you'll be moving around. But just to say, I want to genuinely wish each and every one of you here every success in your challenges to be elected to the Dáil Éireann. And I want to thank, as always, Martin and his team, who guide us, who give us all the advice and the professionalism, and keep us on the straight and narrow in these houses. It's appreciated, and thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Martin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .