Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and we have to deal with that collectively. In terms of how we deal with the crime, it is interesting to note that both groups referred to mandatory sentencing. Generally, we would not be in favour of that on the basis of the evidence that it does not tend to work. That does not mean that crime is not serious, however. Do the witnesses have any views on restorative justice? Have they analysed that? In the context of their analysis of who is committing these so-called agricultural crimes, is it mostly gangs? Is it groups of people working collectively and targeting with a particular market in mind? Is that type of gang crime - with a small "g" - much more likely in rural than urban areas? What analysis has been done on that to date? In terms of restorative justice, is there a perception among people that if a tractor is stolen, the owner can get the money back through insurance or whatever and that those stealing it are not doing any real harm? Is it the case that the people committing these crimes do not realise the devastating effect their actions can have, even in terms of the financial viability of a family farm? It is a bit like fellas stealing from the boss and thinking that is not a real crime because losses can be recouped through insurance. If the perpetrators were forced to meet their victims and deal with the effects of what they have done, that might have more of an impact on their behaviour than a mandatory prison sentence.