Robbie Dolan and transport police
Senator Boyhan congratulated jockey Robbie Dolan on his Melbourne Cup win, with light banter from the Chair, then moved to the need for a transport police force and welcomed progress on a policing committee.
It is nice to start on a celebratory note. I acknowledge the important Irish jockey, Robbie Dolan, who rides Knight's Choice. What a fantastic victory he had in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. As someone interested in equestrian sport, it is a great opportunity to celebrate him, and I know the Acting Leader is from Kildare and champions the equestrian and bloodstock industry. It is a wonderful achievement. I had more emails from Tipperary than from Kildare this morning regarding this great victory. It is an important victory.
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He was an outsider. I want to acknowledge that. It is something we will celebrate, certainly in the equestrian world.
On a more serious note, I acknowledge Deputy Duncan Smith, the Labour Party TD, who hosted the transport workers' union, SIPTU and others today. This is important work on a transport police force. The Acting Leader and many Members will recall that I brought proposals to this House on a transport police force, which were not supported. The other day I was delighted to read the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin's commitment to a policing committee. We have moved on. The Acting Leader will also recall that I circulated the Red Shoe Movement report to everyone in this House. It is a powerful report on how women have been subject to vile abuse, sexual harassment, intimidation, hate speech and hate aggression on our public transport. Let us not call any more Ministers into this House. Let the parties get together because we know what the record is. Now more than ever, there is a need for dedicated police force on our public transport. I ask that people might reflect and use their influence individually and in the different parties to see it embedded in the election manifestos with a view to it being embedded in the programme for Government of the next Government, whoever it will be.
I will be in the House tomorrow and the next day, but some of the Senators have other business and other committees to attend, which I respect. I know the spokespersons will be moving around. I genuinely wish every Senator every success in their challenges to be elected to Dáil Éireann. I also thank the Clerk of the Seanad, Mr. Martin Groves, and his team, who guide us, give us advice, show professionalism and keep us on the straight and narrow in this House. It is appreciated and I thank them.