Bill to regulate private security firms enforcing court orders published
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Helen McEntee
Draft legislation to bring private security firms hired to enforce court orders under the oversight of the Private Security Authority (PSA) has been published following approval from ministers.
The Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021 will insert an additional category and definition of “enforcement guard” in the list of security services covered by the Private Security Services Act 2004.
The amendment will require enforcement guards, such as those hired to enforce repossession orders, to obtain a licence to operate and ensure that they are subject to the training standards and licensing regime operated by the PSA.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) was among groups who called for greater public oversight following tensions over the conduct of security officials at evictions in Dublin in 2018.
Justice Minister Helen 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 amendments 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 introducing an offence of “impersonating an inspector” of the PSA.
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