Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
166. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increasing prevalence of cash for gold businesses, the sale of scrap metal and the impact on burglaries and thefts, when the metal theft forum is due to report and develop a prevention and reduction plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3556/13]
View answer167. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a metal compliance scheme will be introduced in order to reduce the level of rural metal theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
An Garda Síochána is very much aware of the matters raised by the Deputy and is targeting the increase in the theft of metal, and burglaries and theft-related crimes generally, through a number of initiatives.
The Garda response includes the Supporting Safer Communities initiative, which lays particular emphasis on burglary prevention and reduction, and a targeted response to burglary, taking into account locations, times, offenders and victims. This response includes the development of advice on the prevention of theft of farm machinery and farm security generally.
In addition, An Garda Síochána has established a metal theft forum involving stakeholders particularly affected by this type of crime, including the Irish Farmers' Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers association, the Electricity Supply Board, telecoms, transport companies, brewing concerns and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The forum provides a means of on-going liaison and cooperation between all the stakeholders working towards preventing and reducing metal theft and thereby providing a safer and more secure living and working environment for both the public and the business community.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that following consultation with affected groups and senior Garda officers, the An Garda Síochána Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan has been developed and will be launched in early February 2013.
In addition the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government has published draft regulations under the Waste Management Act which aim to enhance the traceability of scrap metal purchases.
In relation to the operation of cash for gold outlets, I can inform the Deputy that on 19 June 2012 I published a report on the criminal justice aspects of this trade which was prepared by my Department. I have formally requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence to consider the content of the report, that it considers holding hearings on the issues raised in the report, that it obtains the views of all relevant interested parties and that it makes such report and recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Government as it deems proportionate and appropriate in the public interest. I understand that the Committee has taken action with a view to progressing this matter.
