Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
103. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to regulate the private investigations sector; if she is concerned at the ability of private investigators to access private personal data in breach of data protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40532/14]
View answer107. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions that arose out of the public consultation carried out by the Private Security Authority in May 2013 and subsequently concluded in June 2013 regarding the regulation of private investigators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40536/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 107 together.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is the statutory body responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry. The PSA, an independent body under the remit of my Department, has adopted a phased approach to licensing and currently licences in the region of 960 contractors and 28,000 individuals in a range of sectors including Cash In Transit, Door Supervisor and Security Guarding.
I am aware of concerns at the modus operandi of some private investigators, as indicated by recent court cases taken by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. I am informed by the Authority that in preparation for the licensing of this particular sector, the PSA issued a questionnaire to gather information on the scope of the private investigator sector. The results of this consultation have now laid the foundations for the development of licensing in the area. Furthermore, the Authority's Strategic Plan 2014-2017 provides for the completion of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the licensing of private investigators. I am also informed by the Authority that this RIA is now at an advanced stage of development and will be completed before the year end. The Strategic Plan also provides for the licensing of contractors in the private investigator sector by the end of 2015 and the licensing of individuals in 2016.
