Security Authority

Private Security Authority.

There stands established a body to be known as the Private Security Authority, or in the Irish language An tÚdarás Slán dála Príobháidí, to perform the functions conferred on it by this Act.

The Authority shall, subject to this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. The Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession.

The Authority shall consist of not more than 11 members. The members of the Authority shall include—

• at least one person who is a practising barrister, or practising solicitor, of not less than 5 years’ standing,
• 2 persons each of whom the Minister considers to be representative of private security employers,
• 2 persons each of whom the Minister considers to be representative of employees of such employers,
• the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or such other member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner as the Commissioner may nominate in that behalf,
• an officer of the Minister,
• a representative of any other Minister of the Government who, in the opinion of the Minister, is directly concerned with or responsible for activities relevant to the functions of the Authority, and
• one member of the staff of the Authority elected by secret ballot of the staff of the Authority in such manner—

The term of office of a member of the Authority shall be not more than 4 years. A person may not be appointed to be a member for more than 2 consecutive terms.

Functions.

The Authority shall control and supervise persons providing security services and maintain and improve standards in the provision by them of those services. The  Authority may, and where required by the Act shall—

• grant and renew licences,
• issue identity cards to licensees,
• where appropriate, suspend or revoke licences,
• establish and maintain a register of licensees,
• specify standards to be observed in the provision of security services by licensees or particular categories of licensees,
• specify qualifications or any other requirements (including requirements as to training) for the grant of licences,
• undertake or commission, or collaborate or assist in, research projects and activities relating to the provision of security services, including the compilation of statistical information and other records necessary for the proper planning, development and provision of those services,
• investigate any security services being provided by any person,
• establish and administer a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints against licensees,
• monitor the provision of private security services generally,
• liaise with licensees with a view to keeping itself informed of any matters requiring its attention,
• advise the Minister on any matter relating to its functions,
• keep the Minister informed of developments in relation to the provision of security services by licensees or particular categories of licensees and assist him or her in coordinating and developing policy in that regard.

The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order confer on the Authority such additional functions relating to security services and connected with the functions conferred or any order under this subsection as the Minister considers appropriate, and

Strategic plans

The Authority shall, as soon as practicable after it is established and thereafter within 6 months before each third anniversary of its establishment, prepare and submit to the Minister, for approval by the Minister with or without amendment, a strategic plan for the ensuing 3-year period.

A strategic plan shall—

• set out the key objectives, outputs and related strategies of the Authority, including its use of resources,
• comply with any directions issued from time to time by the Minister in relation to the form and manner of the plan’s preparation, and
• have regard to the need to ensure the most beneficial and efficient use of the Authority’s resources.

Chief Executive.

There shall be a chief executive officer of the Authority, who shall be appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Chief Executive of the Public Appointments Service.,

The appointment shall either—

• be on such terms as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determine and be subject to Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996, or
• be on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Authority and approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

The Chief Executive shall manage and control generally the staff, administration and business of the Authority and perform such other functions as may be conferred on him or her by or under the Act or by the Authority. The Chief Executive shall be responsible to the Authority for the performance of his or her functions and the implementation of the Authority’s functions.

Such of the functions of the Chief Executive as he or she may specify from time to time may, with the consent of the Authority, be performed by such member of the staff of the Authority as the Chief Executive may authorise in that behalf. The functions of the Chief Executive may be performed during his or her absence or when the post of Chief Executive is vacant by such member or members of the staff of the Authority as it may from time to time designate for that purpose.

Staff

The Authority may appoint such and so many persons to be members of its staff as may be approved from time to time by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The grades of staff of the Authority and the number in each grade shall be determined by the Authority with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.