Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I support every word uttered by Senator Zappone on the RTE programme last night. I also join in the words of congratulations to RTE on a programme very well presented. It is highly embarrassing and disgraceful that so many men in this country support organised crime, put the lives of vulnerable women at risk and infringe their human rights.

The House needs to have a debate on criminality generally because there is much activity in this country which needs investigation. If the Leader arranges for the Minister to come to the House for such a debate, I would like to raise the criminality associated with the sale of scrap. I would like all cash dealings in scrap to cease. Anybody dealing in scrap should be registered and produce a PPS number.

I was made aware of a situation recently where €5,000 worth of scrap was sold which had been robbed from a number of houses. Some €400,000 worth of damage was done to those premises and the people who did that walked away with €5,000 in cash. If we regulated the situation so cash dealings were illegal, it would reduce the number of burglaries, destruction, damage and accidents, because much local authority property, such as manhole covers, is being robbed and sold, and it would help the economy generally.

We need a debate on criminality and to put an end to cash dealings in scrap. We must look at our laws to see how we can safeguard our economy and reduce the amount of criminality taking place.