The Government will shortly introduce a Bill for the regulation of the security industry, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said yesterday.
He said the legislation would establish a Private Security Authority which would control and supervise providers of private security services with a view to ensuring that high standards were maintained and developed. Security firms would have to comply with revenue, social welfare, health and safety and company law.
The Bill would cover a range of security services, including door supervisors, private investigators, security guards and consultants, as well as suppliers and installers of security equipment.
The Minister also said it would provide procedures for the grant, renewal, suspension and revocation of licences and the variation of their terms and conditions.
The authority would put in place and administer a system for the hearing of complaints.