Mr. Barry Carey:

The project was called TheftStop and it is still in operation. It is primarily a property marking scheme under which people log onto the IFA's website and are given a unique number. They use a stencil and specific paint that cannot be painted over. Overt marking is the theme of the scheme. Someone living in County Offaly has a specific OY registration plate number. He or she uses spray paint and a marking kit to itemise each piece of equipment. The information is uploaded to ensure a record is kept of it, in addition to having a gate sign indicating that every piece of equipment on the farm has been marked. It was and is a great deterrent. Eighteen months ago a national property recovery day was held. An Garda Síochána had recovered more than 500 items which it put on public display. We sent almost 4,000 text messages to members in various counties who had been affected by crime. Such schemes have worked in people recovering their property, but we need to engage more. We are constantly looking at modernisation. The main point is that criminals are looking for items that they can get rid of, either online or at marts, car boot sales, etc. If an item has been marked, they do not want it. That is the scheme with which we have been engaged.