Minister Michael Ahern open Conference on the Future of Security in Ireland

Michael Ahern T.D., Minister for Trade and Commerce today (Tuesday 8^th November) opened the Annual Conference of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). The conference is being held at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin and will consider with the future of security in Ireland.

Speaking at the conference Minister Ahern said. “Since September 2001 the west has become increasingly security conscious. Implementing security measures to deal with terrorist threats imposes a significant cost to all businesses including Irish exporters. We face major challenges in developing cost-efficient security measures that do not distort or impede trade flows but maintain open trade relations particularly given how important international trade is to the economy of this country”.

“But it is not just the security of physical goods that is at issue. Terrorist organisations and international crime gangs see product counterfeiting and ID fraud as soft methods to fund more serious crimes. Open borders within the EU and the globalisation of brands make it easier to perpetrate fraud. The continuing development of new technologies has transformed the way business is done today and we must therefore make ourselves secure against the threat of Internet and e-commerce fraud, forgery and counterfeiting”, the Minister added

Central Statistics Office figures indicate that e-commerce now accounts for about a quarter of industrial turnover however a recent survey by the Consumer Reports Web Watch also shows that 25% of US internet users have stopped buying on line because of the fear of identity theft, credit card fraud and leaking of personal information.

Figures also show that the rapid growth of the security industry in Ireland in recent years now sees over 14,000 full time employees in a sector that has an estimated turnover of €250 million annually.

Another recent survey also shows that 55% of 300 small businesses have been affected by crime in the last 12 months, leading to a significant disruption to business which has been estimated to be costing small business in the region of €2 billion a year.

Commenting on these statistics Minister Ahern said: “These figures clearly point to the significant growth of the security industry and to the impact that security can have on business costs. Against such a background, it became essential to establish sound regulation for the private security industry and almost exactly one year ago, my government colleague Mr Michael McDowell launched the Private Security Authority”.

“In many ways, threats to our security are a measure of our success and the price that we must pay for this success. But it is essential that we protect ourselves against those threats not only for our general well being but also so that our economic success may continue, because security and economic development go hand in hand. “I am delighted to have this opportunity to congratulate the NSAI, its chairman, staff and Committees, on its excellent work developing standards of best practice in the area of security. These are crucial for industry and both public and private enterprises”, the Minister concluded.

ENDS

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