Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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485. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any, to meet with electricians' trade representative bodies, including RECI, to discuss the development of the Private Security Authority and the new powers that have been granted to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18507/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent agency under the remit of my Department, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The remit of the PSA, as set out in the Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended), includes that of "installer of security equipment" and as the Deputy may be aware, from 1 October 2012, it became mandatory for contractors installing or maintaining CCTV systems and Access Control Systems to obtain a licence from the PSA.

I am informed by the Authority that, prior to and since the introduction of mandatory licensing for all installers of security equipment, the PSA has engaged in ongoing consultation with the various representative bodies, including RECI. In fact, I am informed that it did so as recently as 9 April 2013. On this basis, and given the Authority's independent role, I believe that it is more appropriate that the PSA should continue to meet with the relevant representative bodies should further meetings be required.