Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Again, I am disappointed the Minister of State has come here to read out the same standard reply, although I have nothing personal against her. We need action. We have had all the consultations and reports. The Garda needs support and the legislative framework whereby it can try these people. The Minister of State referred to ESB lines being taken. This beggars belief. This has happened in my neighbourhood and it is costing the ESB a fortune. However, who is paying the price? It is the people who are paying the ESB, Joe tax man and Mrs. tax woman.

We must have action. We do not have time for another consultation. The IFA and the ICMSA have contributed passionately on this. People ring the gardaí, but they are frightened in their beds at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. when criminals, who appear to be an ESB crew, arrive at their home with all types of equipment to cut down ESB lines. They have the knowledge so they obviously have prior experience to know what lines to touch. Otherwise they would fry and there would be multiple casualties. They are coming in from eastern Europe, as the Minister of State said, because we are ripe and ready to be picked and plucked, like apples hanging from a tree.

The reason is that we have an inept Government which has refused to deal with this issue. The Government was elected by the people and Bills are regularly presented to it by Opposition Deputies. I have done so twice, including an amended Bill with eight amendments, but the Government refused point blank to accept it. What is wrong that it will not accept or implement legislation to protect our people? It passes Bill after Bill to persecute people, ranging from taxes to Irish Water, but when we need a small amount of legislation to protect people in their homes, it refuses to entertain it. The Government is gobbled up in bureaucracy, red tape, reports, commissions and public consultation. All are sham and token.

I do not know the reason that the Government will not recognise this issue and not give the power and tools to the Garda Síochána and other agencies to deal with this perilous situation. People are frightened in their homes and have their cemetery crosses cut down. It affects the Irish Georgian Society and other groups across the country. The consultation is over and done. We need action, not another public consultation. The Minister has given no date for when it will report on what action will be taken. The Government will be long gone out of office - I do not know if the Minister of State is standing for election - and there will still be no legislation. It is not right or just.

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