Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the rise in burglaries aimed specifically at stealing jewellery; his plans to introduce measures to ensure that items sold privately to jewellery shops and pawnbrokers are photographed and checked for provenance to reduce the potential market for items acquired through intimidation and crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána enforce the provisions of the criminal law in respect of theft and robbery, including the theft and robbery of jewellery and gold. Provisional indications are that burglaries involving jewellery are running at levels similar to last year. Garda management is aware that a number of outlets have been established in various areas that are buying gold for cash. A number of established jewellers are also buying gold and jewellery for cash.

While the informal purchase of jewellery and precious items is not specifically regulated, the circumstances under which they are bought or sold may indicate the commission of certain offences. For example the handling of stolen property and or the possession of stolen property, which are offences under sections 17 and 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 respectively, may be indicated through the specific circumstances under which transactions are effected. There is an onus, under the law, on the owners of the business in question to ensure that they are not buying stolen goods. If members of the public have suspicions that goods being sold or traded may have been stolen, the correct action is for these suspicions to be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.

I wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor An Garda Síochána have any function in relation to the regulation of legal transactions in jewellery and gold. Furthermore the informal purchase of jewellery and gold is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation. End of Take