Parliamentary questions

234. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has ever reviewed the divergence between criminal and civil outcomes in cases involving alleged assaults by private security staff; and whether any analysis has been carried out to determine why civil liability may be accepted where criminal prosecution was not possible. [64453/25]

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]

236. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will request that An Garda Síochána introduce a specific evidence protocol for incidents involving private security personnel, given the frequency of late-night, low-light, and CCTV-dependent investigations. [64455/25]

237. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints which have been received by the Private Security Authority in each of the past five years relating to excessive force, assault, or misconduct by licensed door staff or venue security personnel; and the number of these complaints which resulted in licence suspension, revocation, or enforcemen…

238. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the PSA collects or retains any information on civil claims, legal actions, or settlements involving licensed private security personnel; and if not, whether he will consider expanding the PSA’s statutory remit to include tracking of such matters. [64457/25]

239. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider introducing a mandatory reporting requirement obliging licensed venues to notify the PSA of any civil claim, settlement, or insurance payout arising from alleged misconduct by private security staff. [64458/25]

240. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to review the Private Security Services Act 2004 to strengthen safeguards for the public, including clearer obligations on venues to cooperate with Gardaí, retain CCTV, and report patterns of misconduct involving security staff. [64459/25]

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]

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]

243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to bring forward amendments to the Private Security Services Act 2004 or related regulations to enhance public safety, improve oversight, and address emerging risks identified within the nightlife sector. [64462/25]

244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether it is lawful for private security personnel to detain a person in an enclosed room within a licensed premises pending Garda arrival; and whether guidance has been issued to Gardaí regarding the handling of incidents where a person has been detained in such a manner. [64467/25]

245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether Gardaí receive training or guidance on the risks associated with holding areas used by private security staff, including the potential for excessive force, lack of CCTV coverage, or the absence of independent witnesses. [64468/25]

246. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Private Security Authority regulates or inspects the use of holding rooms in licensed venues, and whether any policies exist to prevent private security personnel from detaining individuals without lawful authority. [64470/25]

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]

248. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Private Security Authority regulates or prohibits the use of handcuffs or other restraints by private security staff, and if any standards, codes of conduct, or training requirements apply to the use of restraints in nightlife or event settings. [64474/25]

249. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether licensed security personnel receive any accredited training in the application, monitoring, and safe removal of restraints, and whether the Department has assessed the potential risks of untrained personnel using such equipment. [64477/25]

250. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints received by the Private Security Authority in each of the past five years relating to the use of handcuffs, plastic restraints, or other forms of physical restraint by licensed security personnel. [64478/25]

251. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether it is lawful for private security personnel to detain a person using handcuffs or similar restraints pending Garda arrival; and whether he intends to review the legal framework governing private detention and use-of-force in licensed venues. [64479/25]

252. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has identified any regulatory gaps regarding the authorisation, training, monitoring, and accountability of private security personnel who use mechanical restraints, and whether reforms are planned. [64481/25]

253. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered the regulatory frameworks in other jurisdictions where private security personnel are permitted to use mechanical restraints only under defined, limited, and supervised conditions, and whether similar measures will be examined in Ireland. [64482/25]

254. 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 search individuals, including body searches or searches of personal property, within licensed premises or events; and if not, whether he will clarify the lawful limits of such searches. [64483/25]

255. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether private security personnel may conduct searches as part of a common-law citizen's arrest; and if so, whether guidance exists on the scope, proportionality, and lawful use of restraint during such searches. [64484/25]

256. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the PSA provides guidance on searches conducted with patron consent; including whether patrons may refuse a search, and what recourse or protections are available if a patron is searched without consent. [64485/25]

257. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether private security personnel or licensed venues can be held civilly or criminally liable for conducting searches of patrons that exceed lawful authority, and whether any cases have arisen in the past five years relating to such searches. [64486/25]

258. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Private Security Authority provides specific training, codes of conduct, or written guidance to licensees regarding searching individuals; and whether he will consider strengthening such guidance to prevent unlawful or excessive searches. [64487/25]