New Year's Eve in Casualty, and the security staff as well as the medicos are in for a busy night. The young man wheel-chaired in from the ambulance following an assault by several other young men in the pub car park is disgorging what looks like a 50/50 mix of blood and stout. He has a group of friends with him, all somewhat boisterous.

His parents arrive shortly after. Understandably, they are upset; they are also verbally abusive to the night sister, who calls security.

The response is commendably prompt. However, one of the uniformed men summoned to contain this sensitive, and by now rapidly deteriorating situation is less than fully trained. He is not even semi-trained. In fact he's busking it. I know that for a fact; I should do - it's me.

Just over a year ago, I responded to a recruitment advertisement for part-time security guards. It definitely included the words "Full training given". I occasionally mention that to colleagues, and the usual response is a shrug and a smile.

These things happen. But now, after investing considerable time and effort in pinpointing the weaknesses and the problems of the security industry, representatives believe they have come up with some solutions.

In January 1998 the Consultative Group Report On The Private Security Industry In Ireland was published. Convened under the auspices of the Department of Justice in mid '97, the consultative group was an open forum for anyone with an interest. They met for six months, and the result of their deliberations is the 70-page report and its proposals.

Prominent among these recommendations is the establishment of an independent statutory body to administer the introduction and management of a comprehensive licensing system for the industry. At the same time, developing the education and training of individuals seeking jobs within the industry is a primary interest of one of the participating groups, the Security Federation Of Ireland.

Its representative, John Byrne outlines some of the developments the SFI has instigated over the past two years. "We have put in place what is probably the most comprehensive system for training in Europe. A substantial amount of work has been done over the past two years - it's all going through the educational structure as well.

"What is needed has been very clearly defined, and these requirements have been agreed by the Department Of Education representatives on the National Council For Vocational Awards. They have agreed levels one, two and three of the educational modules for the security industry, and eight colleges around the country will be taking on board these modules at those levels".

However, while the training modules are there, their take-up still remains an open question. "What happens at the moment on the part-time night courses we have is that some individuals pay themselves, just to progress personally, while some companies such as Securiforce, Platinum Security, and ADT actually sponsor the students.

"It's voluntary, but the requirements for induction will require that the company insures that every member of the staff has completed the induction level assessment.

While the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue has pledged his support for the report's principal recommendations being made law, the Department cannot as yet predict when they will reach the statute book.

Nevertheless, while the term "self regulation" may at times invite a degree of scepticism, within the industry it is a task being taken ever more seriously. Grahame Pickett is president of the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) which represents 55 Irish security companies out of the estimated 387 currently operating. Asked how many of the 332 non-member companies might be seen as dubious, he says, "We would feel that there are a number, certainly, and obviously that has an effect on the industry, bringing the name of the industry down.

"At the moment what the ISIA would insist upon within our member companies, is that there is at least one day's induction training, then at least one day's on-site training, depending on where the individual is going - depending on the complexity of the assignment. One day induction into the company, and one day on site."

Byrne adds, "There's no doubt about it, the doubtful ones will be there, but the licensing, when that comes about, will resolve that problem. They would not be allowed to set up in the business unless they have a licence, and the qualification for the licence will be compliance with the standard document.

"The associations around the table of the federation, want this because of the devaluing of the industry in the eyes of the public, the bad publicity. That drives down rates of pay, and keeps the quality of person we need in the industry away from the industry. With all good reason, the industry has to address these matters, and it is.

"Maybe some day soon `cowboy' companies wanting in to the market will be hearing the words already familiar to thwarted gatecrashers the world over, `You're not on the list - you're not coming in'.

Copies of the report are available from the Government Publications Office at Molesworth Street Dublin 2, Price £35.