asked the Minister for Justice what arrangements are made by the Garda to prevent the stealing of copper and lead from roofs of premises in Dublin city.
34.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Theft of Copper and Lead.
33.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that serious damage is being done to the roofs of premises in Dublin city by vandals who steal lead and copper for sale; and if he will consider licensing scrap dealers and making the keeping of records of purchase compulsory in order to help the Garda to stamp out this vandalism.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
The information available to me does not indicate that there has been any increase in recent years in the kind of crime in question. The gardaí on patrol duty are instructed on the need to be alert for this kind of offence and a close touch is kept with licensed general dealers, who alone are permitted by law to deal in scrap metal and who are obliged to keep very exact records of their transactions.
Is the Minister aware that on the north side of the city particularly, over the past few months wholesale damage has been done to roofs, particularly of business premises, because of these people who are apparently collecting copper and lead with hopes of selling it to dealers?
As I have said, statistically speaking, the numbers of these crimes do not appear to be on the increase; they seem to be decreasing. It is also correct to say that scrap metal dealers as a class must be licensed by the court and must keep exact records. I am aware that there is another class of people who buy and collect these things. These are the tinkers who are very difficult to control. They are not licensed although, strictly speaking, I imagine they should be.
If a complaint is made to the Garda authorities that damage has been done to a whole street of houses, will the Garda authorities take any action or will they, as has been reported to me recently, just say: "What can we do about it?"
I have no knowledge of the specific case to which the Deputy refers but I shall inquire into it. I should imagine if there was a wholesale stripping of one street, the Garda would give it particular attention.
Has the Minister been made aware that in the Gardiner Street or Gardiner Place area there has been wholesale damage caused by people taking the flashing away from the roofs, thereby causing very serious damage to the roofs of these houses?
I am not so aware but I shall have inquiries made.