Government to crack down on security industry
Justice Minister Michael McDowell told the new Private Security Authority that the unregulated nature of the nightclub security situation required their urgent attention. Sweeping powers to regulate the security industry have been given to the new statutory body.
“It is fair to say that the current position where any person can work as a so-called ‘bouncer’ with little or no regard to matters of public safety is totally unacceptable,” said Mr McDowell when speaking at the authority’s new headquarters in Tipperary town.
Often, he said, untrained and unsuitable doormen brought the security industry a bad name.
“I would like to see a situation where they will require a licence which they can only receive after they have satisfactorily completed a mandatory training course,” said the minister.
The authority, set up under the Private Security Services Act 2004, has wide powers to control and supervise companies and individuals in the private security business.
Its functions will include:
Granting or withdrawing licenses for security companies.
Issuing ID cards to security personnel.
Suspending or totally revoking a company or bouncer’s licence.
Specifying standards and entry qualifications.
Investigating security firms or individuals.
Mr McDowell told members of the new authority of his concerns at the lack of controls in an unregulated security industry.
“Most of us will have, at least, heard reports of low standards. The necessity for regulation has been apparent,” he said.
It is estimated that 400 security companies employ 14,000 people and have an estimated turnover of €250 million.
The minister said the need to provide a sound regulatory environment for the private security industry was a matter of extreme public interest.
Mr McDowell said: “Regulation of the industry is important, not just in the context of promoting consumer confidence in a growing industry, but also to combat low standards and unacceptable behaviour that has become an unfortunate feature of some aspects of the industry.”
The Private Security Authority members are solicitor Michelle Doyle, chairperson; Ray Guinan, former president of the Irish Security Industry Association; Bill Brown, National Union of Security Employers; Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Crummey; Lima O’Dubin, Security Institute of Ireland; Margaret Lovatt, FÁS; Mary C Barrett, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Catherine Byrne, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
