John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to share my time with Deputy Joe McHugh. I will be brief. I wish to go on the record to thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising this subject. It gives all of us an opportunity to articulate the issues and problems in our constituencies. It also affords the Minister an opportunity to give us an update. I realise he is on top of this issue and dealing with it. This issue is live among the public. It was remarked already that there are legitimate businesses up and running giving employment and it is in their interest that regulation is brought in.

The criminal element must be weeded out. There is exploitation of and dangers for people in rural communities. They must be reassured that their possessions are safe and secure. The title "cash for gold" is a good marketing title. People who are strapped for cash may believe they can walk in the door and return five minutes later with cash and this makes them vulnerable. This is something that must be considered as well.

We should remember that there are legitimate and significant scrap metal operations throughout the country. They must be protected by whatever regulation is introduced. My local GAA club raised a substantial amount of money by going to people in the community, including the parents of the players, and offering to get rid of scrap metal they did not want to keep. It served as a tidy up and it was good for the environment. Many people were pleased to see that club members were not coming to sell tickets but to get rid of unwanted material.

I realise the Minister is on top of this situation. My colleague in the European Parliament, Jim Higgins MEP, has been in touch with the Minister and has made many of the suggestions contained in Deputy McGrath's Bill with regard to the minimum retention time that a cash for gold outlet could hold on to goods before they are passed on. This would enable the identification of the seller if there were any issues arising. I recognise that the Minister has taken these suggestions on board.

There is a certain fear in the community when one sees live Eircom cables being cut down. I live in Ballaghaderreen where copper cylinders are being taken from unfinished estates. This is a real issue which must be addressed. Everyone is keen to get some regulation across the line to protect legitimate people. This debate is a great opportunity in this regard and I welcome and support the solutions that will be brought forward as a result of it.

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