Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation that cash for gold outlets will be obliged to adhere to similar regulations that apply to pawnbrokers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30454/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that on 19 June 2012 I published a report on the criminal justice aspects of the cash for gold trade which was prepared by my Department. I have stated that while the relevant criminal justice law is adequate to deal with the transactions in question, it is arguably inconsistent that there are rules and regulations that apply to pawnbrokers for the protection of the public and that similar rules do not apply to cash for gold outlets. I have formally requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence to consider the content of the report, that it considers holding hearings on the issues raised in the report, that it obtains the views of all relevant interested parties and that it makes such report and recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Government as it deems proportionate and appropriate in the public interest.