From Security to Legal..A Question

C.TECH

Hi there,
I frequent the Home Security Forum and the Trade Security Forum and we have a topic of discussion that could really benefit from some professional legal scrutiny, or at least a fleeting glance from those in the know.

The PSA (Private Security Authority) was set up in 2004 under the Private Security Services Act, 2004. The Authority regulates Door Staff and Security Gaurds and Intruder Alarm Installers, the latter being the focus of our discussion.

The act has also recently been amended with some interesting new powers.

I have linked both the original act and the amendments below. There have been some discussions about the act itself being in breach of EU law and some even say that the whole premise of the Authority is illegal.

We all agree that, anything concerning security should be regulated, but to what degree? It seems the act itself was contrived to sustain another government department, populated with overpaid staff, hand picked in some cases. They seem to do very little for Installers but tax them heavily.
One aspect of the act is that you (yes you, the customer) are breaking the law and are subject to prosecution if you choose to have an alarm installed by a non-PSA Licensed Installer.

Has this act given the Authority far too much power over Installers and Customers? is it in breach of any EU law?

Any and all input would be very welcome

http://www.psa.gov.ie/Website/psa/psa.nsf/the_private_security_services_act.pdf

recent amendments

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2011/a2311.pdf

Victor

What EU law do you suspect it breaches?