David Stanton, Fine Gael TD for Cork East advises that the Oireachtas Justice Committee, of which he is Chairperson, is seeking submissions from the public on the Cash for Gold report which was recently published by the Department of Justice. The report is available on the Department of Justice website at: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB12000175
“Over the past number of years there has been a significant increase in the number of cash for gold outlets across the country. Concern has been expressed from members of the public about a possible link between the proliferation of these outlets and a rise in burglaries of gold items”, said Deputy Stanton.
“While the Department of Justice Report found that there is no apparent “major crime” involvement in the issue, it did state that there are grounds for considering the introduction of some controls on the purchase of gold jewellery and other precious metals at cash for gold outlets. It also notes that existing criminal law does not adequately address this and suggests that current regulations for pawnbrokers could be adapted for the regulation of the cash for gold industry.
“The Justice Committee is now asking people and any interested groups to submit their views on the report’s recommendations to the Clerk to the Justice Committee by email to mailto: justiceanddefence@oir.ie The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 31st August 2012 at 5pm. Once the deadline is passed the Justice Committee will consider all the submissions received. Following this the Committee may decide to invite a number of contributors to public hearings
“I would hope to get a good response and I look forward to reading the submissions”, concluded David Stanton TD
