Thank you for inviting me to present the awards this evening.
In an era where crime is sophisticated, violent and international, the role of the security provider has become more important than ever before.
Irish industry and commerce rely on security companies and personnel with proven track records to carry out their work in a quiet, efficient and professional manner.
Trustworthiness and reliability are the cornerstones of this industry.
Tonight we recognise and celebrate what is best in this important industry.
Can I say congratulations to the four Security Officers of the Year: Robert Doyle; Leo O’Toole; Peter Coughlan and Ken Carter.
Well done to Thaj Jawal on his Student of the Year Award. I am aware that this industry employs a significant number of people from outside of Ireland.
Its great to see this fact represented here this evening with Thaj as your student of the year.
I hope all of you will continue to serve the industry in this exemplary manner for many years to come.
Well done also to the Community Person of the Year, May Greene. Where would we be without people like May?
It is right that May is recognised for her tireless voluntary work in her local community all around the country.
My thoughts are with Alan Gallagher’s family who are with us tonight. The National Courage Award is a fitting tribute to a very loyal and courageous young man. I have no doubt you and your family are very, very proud him.
I also congratulate Paul Williams on his award. His contribution to highlighting the crime and violence that belies the underbelly of our society continues to play an important role on our society.
Tonight, as we all head home, after this wonderful event, hundreds of people will be patrolling or monitoring premises and protecting property and equipment worth billions.
In one sense the personnel providing the service could be compared to the referee at a major football game.
When he or she is doing the job well, nobody notices a referee during the game.
However when things go wrong, the referee becomes the focus of attention.
The same applies to security industry.
My colleagues and I, in Government, are very aware of the tremendous work the ISIA has done to improve the quality of service provided by the hundreds of companies and 20,000 thousand employees around the country.
I am also aware that the ISIA has grasped this nettle and has led the campaign for regulation of the industry as a whole.
The ISIA, with so many of the leading companies as members, is an important partner for the future success of this industry.
And I want to assure you that this Government, through the Private Security Authority, will use regulation to instil customer and public confidence in this multi-stranded, multi-faceted business in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the market.
Yours customers are provided with a safe pair of hands and, as an industry, you need a Government that provides you with the same. It is our intention to do so.
This Government has managed to keep the economy on the right track and this has contributed to growth across the majority of Irish industries, including your businesses.
Over the past ten years the Government has had the best interests of Irish business and expanding the workforce as well as Irish society as a whole.
I ask that you practice what you preach when it comes to voting next year. Choose an organisation with a proven track record.
Finally I thank all of you in the security industry for the service you provide in Ireland and I wish you continued success in the future.
Thank you