Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to address the issues proposed by this Deputy in the Private Members Bill Precious Metal Dealers Bill 2011, which was an effort to regulate the cash for gold and cash for scrap industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56453/12]

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 formally asked the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence to consider the content of the report, to consider holding hearings on the issues raised in the report, to obtain the views of all relevant interested parties and to make such reports and recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Government as it deems proportionate and appropriate in the public interest. I understand the committee has taken action with a view to progressing this matter. In relation to theft of metal, tackling such crime requires a collaborative effort and a targeted multi-agency response. Following an analysis of crime trends, An Garda Síochána has established a metal theft forum involving stakeholders particularly affected by this type of crime, including the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers association, the Electricity Supply Board, telecoms, transport companies, brewing concerns and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. A Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan is at an advanced stage of development following discussion with the metal theft forum. I look forward to the outcome of this process so that a properly considered and strategic response can be put in place, to supplement the existing crime prevention and detection operations which An Garda Síochána have in place to tackle this type of crime.