12 Jul 2012, 12:44
The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is seeking submissions on the report on the Cash for Gold Trade published by the Department of Justice and Equality.
Committee Chairman David Stanton, TD, said: “Over the past number of years there has been a significant increase in the number of cash for gold outlets across the country and concern has been expressed in some quarters about burglaries of gold items and the possible link to the proliferation of the 'cash for gold' outlets. While the Department’s report found that there is no apparent 'major crime' involvement in the issue, it said there are grounds for considering the introduction of some controls on the purchase of jewellery and other precious metals at cash for gold outlets. It also said that existing criminal law is inadequate for dealing with the issue. The report suggests that current regulation for pawnbrokers could be used as a template for the regulation of the cash for gold industry. We are now asking for people and groups to submit their views on the report’s recommendations to the Committee.”
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 31st August 2012 at 5pm.
The Committee will consider the written submissions it receives and may decide to invite a number of contributors to public hearings should it feel that this is necessary.
Written submissions should be sent, preferably by electronic means to the Clerk to the Committee at: justiceanddefence@oir.ie
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Dara Calleary, Michael Creed, Alan Farrell, Anne Ferris (Vice-Chairman), john Paul Phelan, Seán Kenny, Finian McGrath, Jonathan O’Brien and David Stanton (Chairman)
Senators:
Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Martin Conway, Rónán Mullen, Denis O’Donovan, Katherine Zappone.