Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I remind the Minister that the legislation establishing the Private Security Authority was introduced some years ago in order to bring to an end the practice whereby criminal gangsters and paramilitaries were actively involved in running the private security industry in this city and elsewhere. That legislation duly passed into law.

The Minister is correct when he states that the granting of licences is a matter for the authority. Does he agree that there is some disquiet regarding the criteria used by authority personnel in respect of the granting of licences? There is evidence to suggest that there are persons with criminal backgrounds and convictions - some of which are of a significant nature and which came about in the not too distant past - who have been granted licences and who are actively involved in the private security industry in this city. That is wrong. In light of his ongoing relationship with members of the authority, will the Minister indicate the criteria that apply in respect of persons with criminal records being granted licences?

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