Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the matters discussed at his meeting with representatives of the security industry on 31 March 2005; the reason he has opted to give the security industry four months to improve security rather than implementing the powers to set standards under the Private Security Services Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce regulations governing the transport of cash by security companies on behalf of banks, which would include mandatory GPS tracking of vehicles, explosive pellet, money marking devices; his views on whether the practice of Garda and Army back up security to banking institutions should be self financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 91 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Questions Nos. 62 and 63 of today's date.

In brief, on 31 March last, I met with representatives of the main banks, An Post, the Central Bank and the major cash-in-transit service providers. I convened this meeting in the immediate aftermath of the armed robbery of a security van at Artane early the previous day, with a getaway haul of approximately €1.9 million.

I indicated to the companies involved that my preference would now be agreement on a voluntary code of conduct that would see the industry operating to the highest international standards. This would include using the latest technology available to ensure the safety of the cash, the security employees and the general public alike.

I informed the industry representatives that they had 120 days to reach agreement and to implement a voluntary code. If such an agreement cannot be reached, I indicated that I will legislate to ensure that standards are raised.

It is also important to point out that the newly established Private Security Authority has a statutory responsibility to licence companies operating in the cash-in-transit sector of the security industry. The authority has decided to commence work on the development of a national standard in parallel with the voluntary programme being carried out by the main banks and service providers. This national standard will form the basis of statutory licensing of cash-in-transit companies. As I have already said, the authority is independent and it is not for me to prejudge its deliberations on this matter. However, I would hope that if the voluntary code of practice is of a sufficiently high standard and concluded within the time frame of the authority's work, it could form the basis of the national standard that would be required for the issuance of a licence.

In relation to the recoupment of costs associated with the provision of armed escorts by the Garda Síochána, following consultations, my Department secured the agreement of the banks to increase their contribution to these costs to €3 million per annum, up from a mere €952,000 in previous years. This €3 million per annum contribution meets, on average, approximately 85% of the costs incurred by the Garda Síochána in providing armed escorts. Further negotiations are being conducted by my Department with the banks with a view to increasing this proportion still further in future years.

With regard to costs incurred by the Defence Forces, although this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Defence, I understand that his Department is also in negotiations with the banks to secure a proper recoupment of costs.