Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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45. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce the Scrap and Precious Metals Bill 2013 as a matter of public urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I published a report in June, 2012 on the criminal justice aspects of the cash for gold trade. The Report prepared by my Department is available on www.justice.ie. I requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence to consider the content of the report, to ensure 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. The current position is that I have received the Committee's response and, having considered it, I have asked my Department to develop proposals in relation to the matter.

Regarding the separate issue of measures to address metal theft including the traceability of scrap metal, you may be aware that An Garda Síochána published a Metal Theft Crime Prevention and Reduction Plan, on 6 February 2013 to address the law enforcement and crime prevention aspects of this matter. The Garda Plan was developed in close co-operation with the stakeholders who participated in the Metal Theft Forum and it is designed to provide for an effective and multi-agency response to the problem. An Garda Síochána is implementing a range of measures arising from the plan, including relevant actions under Operation Fiacla.

With regard to the question of traceability of scrap metal, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government has published draft regulations under the Waste Management Act which aim to enhance the traceability of scrap metal purchases. I am advised that this proposal remains under consideration in Minister Hogan’s Department.