Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the new initiatives which he proposes to take to crack down in infiltration of the security industry by criminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35941/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My concern in relation to unacceptable elements entering the private security industry was one of the reasons I brought forward the Private Security Services Act 2004 to regulate the private security industry.

The Private Security Authority, which was established as an independent body in October 2004, commenced licensing contractors providing private security services in the door supervisor and security guarding sectors on 3 October this year, while licensing for suppliers and installers of intruder alarms commenced at the beginning of this month. I understand that the authority proposes to license all other sectors of the industry on a phased basis, during 2006 and 2007. Licensing for individuals employed in the private security industry will commence next April.

The authority has put in place stringent criteria to protect the industry from infiltration by criminals. All licence applicants will undergo criminal records checking by the Garda Síochána. This will apply to employees, principals and directors of private security companies. Contractors supplying private security services will be required to provide valid documentation in relation to the company, including, tax clearance certificates.

The PSA endorsed the National Standards Authority of Ireland IS999 as the required standard for licensing for the door supervisor, security guarding and event security sectors of the industry. Following on from this the NSAI has been contracted by the PSA to develop a suite of standards for all other sectors of the industry and work in this area is ongoing. Compliance with these standards will also be a prerequisite for the issuance of a contractors licence.