Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I propose to share time with Deputies John Maloney and Paschal Donohoe. I support the thrust of the Bill, which is essential. I ask the Minister, who has proved to be a legislative Minister, to look at it. He has said the Bill is poor in certain sections but I am sure that can be addressed and I hope the Minister will be positive in his reply. I attended a meeting last night about the founding of a new community group. One of the aspects mentioned was cash for gold and the problem it creates for rural communities. Deputy Joan Collins referred to the paper trail, which is essential. We must be positive in our overview of the Bill. If it is not to be accepted, we must be positive in addressing the many problems raised. There are too many to go through but they are all relevant to Deputies' constituencies and from a national perspective.

When this matter arose at local level in Kildare, I received calls from genuine traders concerned that they were being associated with traders who are not genuine and who caused problems. The genuine traders wanted legislation to put them on a solid base in order to continue their trade.

At a recent meeting with the IFA, the organisation stressed the major problems with diesel being stolen from tanks and tractors and other vehicles in the farming community. Th IFA is not able to get a reaction to address the problems. In many instances, the diesel is stolen and damage is done to the machines in the process of extraction, which is a further cost to the farming community. I ask that this be brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána through the Minister's office.

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