Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that convicted criminals are involved in the private security business; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a convicted criminal was photographed receiving his certificate of membership of the Security Institute of Ireland in his presence (details supplied); if the new private security authority will vet applicants to check if they have a criminal conviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36422/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My concern about unacceptable elements within the private security industry was one of the reasons I brought forward the Private Security Services Act 2004 to regulate the private security industry. It should be noted that the Security Institute of Ireland is a separate body, independent of my Department and the Private Security Authority.

The Private Security Authority is the statutory body established under the Act to regulate this important industry. The PSA has put in place stringent criteria to ensure that the private security industry operates to a high standard. In this regard, all applicants for a licence must undergo criminal record checks by the Garda Síochána, be they employees, principals or directors of private security companies. It is an offence in itself not to disclose details of a conviction when applying to the authority for a licence.

The authority commenced licensing contractors providing private security services in the door supervisor and security guarding sectors on 3 October this year, and licensing for suppliers and installers of intruder alarms commenced at the beginning of this month. 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.