Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 2 February 2010, if he has reviewed the matter of cash for gold outlets; his plans to regulate the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41546/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Neither my Department nor the Garda Síochána have any function in relation to the regulation of legal transactions in jewellery and gold. The informal purchase of jewellery and precious items is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation; however, 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.

The Garda Síochána enforce the provisions of the criminal law in respect of theft and robbery, including the theft and robbery of jewellery and gold. 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.

If members of the public have suspicions that goods being sold or traded may be stolen the correct action is for these suspicions to be referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation.

The issue of whether the operation of the outlets in question contributes to the commission of offences is being kept under review.