Vol. 398 No. 5
61 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the ever increasing number of private security firms operating in the State, he accepts the need for standard regulations to control the industry by means of a trading licence or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As has been pointed out a number of times in recent years by a number of my predecessors as Minister for Justice, in response to parliamentary questions on this matter, the introduction of any system of registration of security firms raises issues of considerable difficulty. A registration system which attempted to provide for minimum standards of commercial practice by those engaged in the business would give rise to serious questions as to the criteria to be applied in the determination of those standards and raise also serious issues in relation to individual rights.
I am not satisfied that an answer to any problems which may arise from the increasing number of security firms is to be found in statutory controls. The position will, however, continue to be kept under review.
