Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 14 December 2011, if there is an established requirement on receivers of metal to log all relevant details regarding acceptance of these metals; if not, if he will consider establishing such a requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3720/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána has undertaken a number of initiatives to raise awareness of metal theft. As part of the Supporting Safer Communities campaign, advice has been developed on the prevention of theft of farm machinery and securing vulnerable metal farm equipment and a farm security initiative has been launched, with the support of the Irish Farmers Association. All Divisional Officers have been advised of measures which can be put in place to prevent and reduce such crime. Further initiatives are in preparation by An Garda Síochána, including the preparation, in cooperation with stakeholders, of a metal theft crime prevention and reduction plan.

The legislation governing the theft of metal is the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, which covers handling, possession and withholding information regarding stolen property. Provision is also made in the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, which allows for the appointment of members of An Garda Síochána as authorised officers under the Act, who are granted powers, including the powers of stop, search and seizure where there are suspected breaches of the Act.

The regulation of the scrap metal industry is not a matter which falls within the remit of my Department. With regard to the regulation of waste activities, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has asked his Department to examine waste licensing and permitting legislation to ensure all necessary provisions, particularly those relating to traceability, are in place to avoid situations that might be exploited by criminal elements. I am informed that this examination is ongoing.