Legislation to regulate "bouncers" should be fast-tracked because of the number of "dodgy characters" working as doormen, Fine Gael has demanded.

Mr Damien English (FG, Meath), a former bar manager, said such people "have ample opportunity and licence to engage in criminal activities such as drug dealing or operating protection rackets". This placed the State and "the well-being of our children at risk because many of these people currently stand guard over many of our pubs and clubs".

He stressed that he was not saying the practice was widespread but "if an opportunity arises cunning criminal brains will seize it to all our costs. At present, the vacuum exists and so does the opportunity."

He was speaking during the second stage debate on the Private Security Services Bill, to regulate the security industry. It was introduced by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, who said the security industry was worth about €250 million annually, with about 400 active companies and 12,000 employees, not including part-time jobs.

The Bill's central provision is to set up a Private Security Authority, which will introduce and operate a licensing system and maintain an up-to-date and easily accessible register of all licensees.

Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Mr John Deasy, said there was a need to regulate superpubs as well.

Some pub owners "could not care less how smashed these people get or whether, on leaving the premises, they might shove a knife into somebody. If we are to deal with this problem, we will have to impose and enforce an onus of responsibility on the proprietors of such establishments."

He said security firms were taking on the role of the Garda, and he believed "the situation has become so bad that we will be back here in a year's time to debate introducing the Army reserve into urban areas, rather than licensing private security firms and bouncers to protect people outside clubs".

Labour's new justice spokes- man, Mr Joe Costello, said that if 12,000 people worked in the security industry then "the private security sector employs more people to enforce the law of the land than the State does". Employees in security should therefore require a certificate of fitness, from a Garda not below the rank of Superintendent.

He also said the Minister would have to address the role of gardaí, soldiers and prison officers who "moonlight" in the security industry. He asked if this was a "proper function for members of the security forces. What should we do about it? Will members of the security forces be regulated by this legislation? Will they be licensed and carry identity cards?"

Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF, Dublin South-Central) believed a directive should be issued that gardaí should not work in this sector. He also said the authority to oversee the industry should include union representatives and civil and human rights activists as well as security people and gardaí.

The Bill now goes to committee stage.