Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if organised criminals have infiltrated the security industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16492/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am concerned that there is some evidence of unacceptable elements entering the private security industry. That is one reason why I have introduced legislation to regulate the industry.

The Private Security Services Act 2004 was signed into law on 4 May 2004. This Act allows for, inter alia, the establishment of a private security authority to control and supervise persons providing security services and maintain and improve standards in the provision by them of those services. The functions of the authority include the granting and renewal of licences, the issuing of identity cards to licensees, the suspension or revocation of licences, the specification of standards in the provision of security services, the specification of qualifications and training requirements and monitoring of the services and service providers in the industry. The authority has been established in Tipperary town and it intends to commence licensing the industry later this year. The Garda Síochána continually monitors developments in the security industry to ensure, in so far as is possible, that breaches of the criminal law are detected.