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Private Security Authority

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Ceisteanna (203, 205, 206, 207, 235, 241, 242, 247, 278, 285, 297)

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out the Government’s position, prior to the enactment of the Private Security Services Act 2004, regarding the legal powers available to private security personnel in relation to the detention, restraint, or physical control of individuals; to clarify whether the Private Security Services Act 2004 provides any statutory power for private security personnel to detain, restrain, or otherwise deprive a person of their liberty; if he will confirm that private security staff possess no greater powers than those available to any member of the public under common-law citizen’s arrest; if he will outline the legal limits around the use of force by private security personnel, including the requirement for immediate handover to An Garda Síochána; the oversight that exists within the Private Security Authority (PSA) to identify, investigate, and sanction cases where private security staff act outside their lawful authority; and if he will detail whether his Department has conducted, commissioned, or reviewed any examinations of incidents where private security personnel have used force or physical restraint resulting in serious harm or death. [64415/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the Government’s stated legal position prior to the enactment of the Private Security Services Act 2004 regarding the powers, if any, of private security personnel to detain or restrain members of the public. [64417/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

206. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will state whether his Department recognises the practice of private security personnel “retaining and detaining” individuals as being outside the scope of lawful authority; and if so, what actions the Department is taking to address such practices. [64418/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

207. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out the legal parameters governing the use of force by private security personnel, including proportionality, necessity, and the requirement for immediate handover to An Garda Síochána following any alleged citizen’s arrest. [64419/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

235. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether An Garda Síochána has conducted any review of investigative standards, evidence-gathering practices, CCTV retention, or venue cooperation in cases involving alleged assaults by private security staff where criminal prosecution could not be advanced. [64454/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

241. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has received any submissions or representations regarding patterns of aggressive conduct, excessive force, or alleged assaults by private security personnel in nightlife settings. [64460/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will undertake a review of the adequacy of current regulation, Garda investigative procedures, and venue responsibilities in relation to private security personnel, in light of increasing reports of serious incidents, assaults, and civil actions linked to nightlife settings. [64461/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

247. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether private security personnel licensed by the Private Security Authority have any statutory authority to carry or use mechanical restraints, including handcuffs or plastic restraints; and if not, whether he intends to issue clarification or regulation in this area. [64473/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

278. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will clarify what constitutes "reasonable force" for private security staff in licensed venues; whether guidance includes practical scenarios in nightlife settings; and whether current enforcement mechanisms are adequate to prevent misuse. [64513/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

285. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will commission a comprehensive review of the Private Security Services Act 2004, including licensing, citizen's arrest, holding areas, training, complaints handling, and duty-of-care provisions, with a view to addressing systemic gaps and improving protection for members of the public. [64526/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ken O'Flynn

Ceist:

297. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether PSA and Garda oversight mechanisms are sufficient to monitor compliance with the 2021 Amendment and 2022 Regulations; and whether additional measures are being considered to prevent unlicensed or inadequately trained personnel from being deployed. [64538/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 205, 206, 207, 235, 241, 242, 247, 278, 285 and 297 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational matters such as criminal investigations.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot provide an interpretation of legislation. The Private Security Services Act, 2004 (as amended) provides the legal basis for the regulation and licensing of sectors of the private security industry in Ireland.

The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing and related standards such as training within the private security industry. The Authority is a statutorily independent body operating under the aegis of my Department.

The PSA has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtas@psa-gov.ie.

The Deputy may also wish to consult the PSA website at www.psa-gov.ie/, where details of the PSA's work, as well as all Annual Reports since the year 2010, can be found.

There are no current plans to amend the Private Security Services Act, 2004 (as amended). Legislation is considered for review when appropriate.

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