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Minister McEntee publishes Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021
• Minister McEntee has received cabinet approval to publish the Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021
• The Bill will require enforcement guards involved in evictions and repossessions to obtain a licence to operate from the Private Security Authority
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has today published the Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021, following approval by Government.
This legislation allows the Government to bring the regulation and licensing of security personnel, assisting those enforcing court orders for evictions and repossessions, within the remit of the Private Security Authority.
The main provision of the Bill is the insertion of an additional category and a definition of ‘enforcement guard’ in the list of security services covered by the Private Security Services Act 2004. This will require enforcement guards to obtain a licence to operate and ensure that they are subject to the training standards and licensing regime operated by the Authority.
Welcoming the publication of the Bill, which was an action in the Minister’s Justice Plan 2021, Minister McEntee said,
Private security staff occupy a position of trust, engaging in regular interactions with members of the public. I strongly believe that those providing security should operate to the highest standards.
I am pleased that with the introduction of these amendments, the Private Security Authority can continue to provide their important role in the private security industry and the contribution it makes to the protection of our community.
The Bill will also make a number of additional amendments including allowing the PSA refuse to renew a licence, or suspend or revoke a licence of a body corporate for the actions of its members, making the Register of licensed persons available for inspection free of charge to members of the public and introduces an offence of “impersonating an inspector” of the Authority.
A copy of the Bill can be found here: Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021