Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
780. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the use of tracking devices on private citizens by private investigators; to list any actions proposed by her Department to prevent this practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35652/23]
View answer781. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of private investigators operating in the State. [35653/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 781 together.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent body under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland. The PSA regulates both contractors and employees across a range of sectors in the security industry, including Private Investigators.
I am advised by the PSA that as of the end of June 2023, there are 94 contractors and 176 individuals licensed by the PSA to operate as Private Investigators in the State.
The use of trackers without the consent of the person being tracked may be a breach of Data Protection legislation. The PSA has published guidance on this matter, reference PSA 63, which is available on their website, www.psa-gov.ie.
Where a private investigator is found by the Data Protection Commission to be in breach of the Data Protection Acts, the PSA may act against the private investigator’s licence. Such action could include the suspension or revocation of a licence.
