I porpose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 23, 36, 37, 88 and 96 together.
As I have indicated previously in the House, I am examining, in consultation with my Government colleagues, the report of the Consultative Group on the Private Security Industry. The consultative group considered a broad range of issues across the private security industry and the report recognised that there are complex problems to be addressed in any proposals to regulate the industry.
It recommended that no single solution will prevent, alleviate or solve the problems and proposed that the best way forward is through a combination of measures which have significant implications for a broad range of Government Departments, as well as for the Garda Síochána. In addition, the group made a number of recommendations which raised issues of a legal nature.
The process of consultation with my Government colleagues, and my examination of their views, is almost complete. When I have completed my examination in the near future, it is my intention to bring proposals to Government which will recommend an appropriate course of action.