Ahern signs Private Security (Identity Badge) Regulations 2009

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, has today signed the Private Security (Identity Badge) Regulations 2009. These Regulations come into effect on 1st September 2009 and require all licensed door supervisors and security guards to wear an identity badge when working.

Signing the regulations, Minister Ahern said: "Geraldine Larkin and her team in the PSA continue to pursue any security company that continues to operate illegally and they have my full support in doing so. These new regulations will go some way to assisting them in their task and I am satisfied that the regulations will benefit the industry as a whole and also increase consumer and public confidence in the industry."

The introduction of the Identity Badge regulations brings into effect section 30 of the Act and the wearing of identity badges will become mandatory for licensed Door Supervisors and Security Guards from 1 September 2009. Licence holders will have a choice of two types of badge -

·        the licence card issued by the Authority with their licence or
·        a card provided by their employer which complies with the guidelines set down by the Authority.  

A licence can be suspended or revoked if this condition is not met.  

The Private Security Authority (PSA) is the statutory body with responsibility for  regulating and licensing the private security industry in Ireland established under the Private Security Services Act 2004. One of the key functions of the PSA is to control, supervise and licence individuals and firms providing private security services and improve standards in the provision of these services. The PSA also have powers to investigate and adjudicate on any complaints against the providers of private security services.  

Further information and guidelines on the wearing of identity badges can be found on the Private Security Authority website www.psa.gov.ie 

26 August 2009