Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to a proposed code of practice for the private security sector; when the code will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16116/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The draft voluntary code of practice on the movement of cash in Ireland sets out the agreed principles for major cash movements in this country. The objectives of the code are to encourage the highest standards of operation and to implement integrated end-to-end solutions to create safe, secure and efficient cash handling.

The forum that is meeting regularly to develop the code is made up of stakeholders from: the Garda Síochána; the Central Bank; the Irish Bankers Federation; AIB; Bank of Ireland; Permanent TSB; Ulster Bank; National Irish Bank; Securicor; and Brinks Allied.

On 31 March, I met the forum following a number of cash in transit robberies this year. I explained that the Government had a duty to ensure that all that could be done was being done to ensure the safety of security workers and the general public. I gave the forum 120 days from that date to agree and start implementing a voluntary code of practice. If it did not succeed, I would have no choice but to introduce legislation on the standards required for the movement of cash.

The forum met again on 11 April and did not reach agreement. Following that meeting, I wrote to the chairmen and governors of the banks expressing my disappointment with the lack of progress and asked for their support in reaching an agreement. The forum met again on 6 May. My officials have attended these meetings as observers and have now informed me that it is expected the code of practice will be agreed within the next month.

Once the code is agreed, I hope other financial institutions and cash-in-transit companies will sign up to the code and voluntarily agree to operate to the same high standards.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with representatives of SIPTU regarding the provision of increased Garda back-up for consignments of cash in transit, in view on the number of robberies and the cases in which the lives of security workers have been threatened or put at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16118/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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On 25 April 2005 I met with the SIPTU general president and SIPTU representatives from a number of the cash in transit companies. I informed them that I wanted to ensure that proper procedures and standards are in place to combat the threat to security employees, their families and the general public. Measures would have to be taken to ensure that the highest standards would be met in cash escorts and cash holding centres. I indicated my preference that there would be voluntary agreement on a code of practice that would see the industry operating to the highest international standards.

To this end I informed them that a forum comprising representatives of the main banks, the Central Bank, the major cash in transit service providers and the Garda Síochána has been considering a draft code of practice since November 2004. The objective of the code is to encourage the highest professional standards of cash in transit operations using integrated end to end solutions to create safe, secure and efficient cash handling. I indicated at the meeting that if such an agreement cannot be adopted voluntarily by the end of July I would have no choice but to regulate to ensure that standards are raised. However, my preference remains that key players, acting in partnership, voluntarily agree to act in the interests of their industry, their employees and the general public. Voluntary completion of the work already in hand would be the fastest way of improving standards for cash movements. Agreement, if and when achieved, will represent the first time the main stakeholders commit to operating to agreed standards of procedure and equipment. It will provide for an environment of safety and security and could eventually be adopted as a mandatory code.

At the conclusion of the meeting SIPTU expressed its appreciation for my actions in addressing the concerns of its members.