Dáil debates

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Hallmarking (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Maurice QuinlivanMaurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I too thank the Minister of State for introducing this Bill, which Sinn Féin will be supporting.

This Bill is technical in nature, with the main aim of including palladium and mixed precious metals on the list of precious metals that can be hallmarked by the Irish Assay Office. It also provides for the possibility of an offshore marking by the Irish Assay Office in the future, if it so wishes, with ministerial approval, in case future trends in hallmarking demand it. Hallmarking is one of the oldest forms of consumer protection. It has existed in Ireland since 1637. Understandably, jewellers in Ireland would be particularly interested in any reform of this area. Like Deputy Lawless, I am disappointed that key stakeholders were not consulted on this area of reform. I was in contact with a representative from the Irish Jewellers Association during the week who is concerned that his organisation, the Retail Jewellers of Ireland and the Federation of Jewellery Manufacturers of Ireland were not notified of changes in legislation in their area of work. Having listened to the concerns of those stakeholders, it is appropriate for me to highlight the sector’s worries now in order that there can be a more detailed discussion on them on Committee stage, with amendments to follow, if necessary. One specific amendment that could be introduced is an exemption in weights, as is done in other countries. Adding a hallmark costs money to each piece of jewellery - approximately €0.66 per item - and so this is pushing up the cost for smaller pieces of jewellery with tiny weights of these precious metals. I appreciate the need for hallmarking on larger and heavier pieces to provide the consumer with certainty that the piece is of high quality, but I think this is too burdensome for producers for small, cheap pieces.

This Bill seems to be following the lead of UK, which introduced palladium as a precious metal in 2009 and legislated for national assay offices abroad in 2013. The UK has provided for an exemption of this kind for metals under a certain weight. The exemption thresholds in the UK are 1g for gold, 7.78g for silver, 0.5g for platinum and 1g for palladium. Will the Minister consider providing for similar exemptions in this Bill?

Another factor that has been highlighted is the lack of inspections to ensure shops that are selling these precious metals are in full compliance with the current regulations. Is the Minister satisfied that sufficiently severe penalties are in place in this Bill and in existing legislation to deter abuse of hallmarking metals in Ireland? I am pleased that the Minister is being given the ability to set up an offshore assay office if she wishes. As Deputy Lawless has outlined, we need to ensure the same standards that apply here in Ireland also apply in the sub-offices overseas. I recognise the importance of hallmarking as a protection for consumers. I welcome this Bill, which updates the law in line with emerging trends. However, I am concerned that adequate consultation has not been undertaken with relevant stakeholders. I hope this will be addressed in advance of Committee Stage.

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