asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself with the operation of private security firms; and if he will consider the introduction of legislation to regulate their operations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Security Firms.
17.
(Limerick East): The Garda authorities say that they have misgivings about the operation of some — and I emphasise the word “some”— security firms. However, it is one thing to recognise that there are problems about the operation of some of these firms but another matter altogether to determine how the problems can be resolved. The question of legislative regulation or control of the private security industry has occupied the attention of at least three of my predecessors all of whom came to the conclusion that the matter was fraught with very considerable difficulties. The nature of those difficulties was indicated in some detail by the then Minister for Justice in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 23 October 1979.
I am not satisfied that an answer to the problems posed by shortcomings in the operation of security firms is to be found in statutory controls. These problems are not peculiar to this country but are known to exist in virtually every other Western European country and I am unaware if a satisfactory solution, either in legislative terms or otherwise, has been found in any country. The position here is being kept under review.
Will the Minister not agree that there have been a number of reported incidents in the past 12 months in which private security firms were involved in policing public events such as pop concerts and where violence was used by the staff of security firms? There appears to be no way in which the public can protect themselves against this kind of activity. Can the Minister indicate if the Garda are in a position to offer their services to provide security for pop concerts?
(Limerick East): The Deputy raised a number of points. I emphasised that the Garda authorities say they have misgivings about the operation of some — and I emphasise the word “some”— security firms. With regard to the suggestion that some security firms were involved in violence at a pop concert, members of the public, whether acting as members of a security firm or not, would have no indemnity from the law. If there was any question of assault the Garda would investigate it and advance the file to the DPP in the same way as they would on the complaint of any citizen about any other citizen. There would not be any immunity from prosecution simply because a person was hired by a particular firm. On the question of whether the Garda would be prepared to provide security in such situations, obviously the Garda are responsible for operational matters. In a large crowd situation it is normal for the Garda — they are aware of these things — to be on patrol in the area.
The problem appears to be that security firms operate generally in relation to crowd control in private property. In many cases their members are dressed in uniforms that are similar in style and colour to Garda uniforms and they appear to operate as though they had the powers of the Garda. Does the Minister not consider that some regulation should be introduced, without necessarily going into the whole area of the control of security firms, to control the use of uniforms worn by members of security firms that look like uniforms of gardaí?
(Limerick East): As the Deputy is probably aware, the Garda will be acquiring new uniforms which are a slightly different colour from the ones in use at the moment. I am aware of the problem that could be raised by the wearing of immitation Garda uniforms and I am examining that matter in the context of the new uniforms that will be provided.