Private Security Authority

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]

259. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will consider introducing a requirement for licensed venues to inform patrons of their rights regarding searches, including through visible signage and written policies, to ensure that searches are conducted lawfully and transparently. [64488/25]

260. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether private security personnel licensed by the Private Security Authority owe a duty of care to patrons being removed from licensed premises; and if so, what guidance or statutory standards exist to ensure that patrons are not exposed to foreseeable harm during removal. [64490/25]

261. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the PSA provides specific guidance or training on the removal of intoxicated patrons; and whether security staff are required to ensure such individuals are escorted safely to a public area, taxi, or trusted companion, rather than being simply ejected. [64491/25]

262. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether security staff are trained to recognise that a patron may be vulnerable due to being spiked, drugged, or otherwise incapacitated, and whether there are protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of such individuals during removal. [64492/25]

263. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether licensed venues are required to assess environmental risks when removing patrons at night, including isolated streets, dark alleys, or adverse weather, and whether security staff are expected to mitigate these risks in practice. [64493/25]

264. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether licensed venues and security personnel are required to document incidents where patrons are removed, particularly where they are intoxicated or vulnerable; and whether this documentation is reviewed by the PSA to ensure compliance with duty-of-care standards. [64494/25]

265. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a failure by security personnel to exercise reasonable care when removing patrons - for example, by leaving intoxicated or vulnerable individuals in unsafe circumstances can result in civil or criminal liability for the security personnel or the venue. [64495/25]

266. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will consider enhancing PSA training, codes of conduct, and enforcement standards to explicitly cover duty of care obligations for security staff, including safe removal procedures, risk assessment, and safeguarding of vulnerable patrons. [64496/25]

267. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Private Security Authority prohibits individuals with previous convictions for assault, public order offences, or violent crime from obtaining a licence; and whether he considers the current vetting process adequate to protect the public. [64498/25]

268. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how the PSA determines whether a person with a criminal record is suitable to work as a licensed security professional; whether there are guidelines or criteria for assessing risk; and whether any improvements are being considered. [64499/25]

269. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether criminal convictions from other countries are considered when licensing private security personnel; and whether gaps in international vetting could allow individuals with violent histories to be employed in high-risk environments. [64500/25]

270. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether licensed security personnel are periodically re-vetted for new criminal convictions; and whether the absence of ongoing monitoring is a potential risk to public safety. [64501/25]