Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pawnbroker Licences.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

157 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline (1) the number of pawnbroker licences issued as at 1 April 1991, (2) the maximum amount of interest that a pawnbroker may charge, (3) the legislation by which a licence may be issued, (4) the names and addresses of those who currently hold such licences and (5) whether a review of the legislation is warranted having regard to the review underway at present into money-lending under the Moneylenders Act, 1900 and 1933; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

The issue of pawnbrokers licences is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners in accordance with section 8 of the Pawnbrokers Act, 1964. I have been informed that there were five licences issued as at 1 April 1991 and that there are four licences issued at present.

The four current licence holders are:

(1) John Brereton Pawnbroker Limited, 108 Capel Street, Dublin 1.

(2) Peter Healy, 53 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8.

(3) Veronica Smith, 69 Queen Street, Dublin 7.

(4) Carthy Pawnbroking Limited, 85 Marlboro Street, Dublin 1.

Sections 15 and 20 of the Pawnbrokers Act, 1964, and the Third and Fifth Schedules of the Act make provision for interest rates chargeable by pawnbrokers.

The legislation governing the operation of pawnbrokers, together with that governing moneylenders, is currently being reviewed in the context of the EC Directive on Consumer Credit, implementation of which is a matter for the Minister for Industry and Commerce.