Mr. Seamus Sherlock:

There is a perception in the farming community that if the crime is reported, the individuals might come back. We would argue that it is not the case. At every meeting I attend, I argue that every single crime should be reported. People must do their bit. As Senator Black implied, even if it is only a chainsaw, the farmer must replace the equipment. We will not get into the price of beef cattle now but for beef or sheep farmers, a new chainsaw would cost the equivalent of the profit on a good few cattle. The knock-on effect is huge. We have farmers who are really struggling to replace quad bikes. The Chairman is correct and we are asking everybody in rural Ireland to get together and, more important, report every single crime.