Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on both motions. I welcome the Minister's commitment to consider fully the mechanism of blocking in the context of the sexual offences Bill, which he will bring to Government shortly and that on its enactment, the State will fully comply with the UN protocol on the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and the EU directive on combating sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. It is very important to be able to state that we are fully in compliance with these three provisions. The sexual exploitation of children is a most serious violation of their rights as it impacts on their dignity and their mental integrity. Child abuse on the Internet needs to be tackled. We need to tackle sexual exploitation of children on a transnational basis and across many forms of activity. We can play a part in harmonising legislation and practices with the EC directives and conventions. There is evidence of a growing number of cases of child pornography, as well as the sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes and sex tourism, involving children, on the Internet. What are the reasons for this increase in the exploitation of children? With the growing use of the Internet, increasing travel and social disparities, children are increasingly vulnerable in conflict areas. Harmonisation of legislation and practices to combat exploitation is extremely important. It is estimated that one in five children will be victims of sexual abuse or exploitation at least once in their lifetime. Other Members have spoken of the circle of trust, parents, relatives, friends, teachers and carers, where a significant number of cases of sexual abuse takes place. It is very difficult for children to report these cases or to assert themselves, to recognise that such behaviour by a member of this circle is wrong and should be reported.

The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation, known as the Lanzarote Convention, was open for signature in 2007. It will be a legally binding instrument and is based on more than 15 years of work in member states to tackle this issue. I am a member of the Council of Europe, as is Senator Leyden. We have eight Members from the Houses of the Oireachtas on the Council of Europe. It is very important that we can report that these issues are being dealt with and that legislation will be enacted in Ireland to ensure the Lanzarote Convention is implemented in full.

Images of child exploitation on the Internet is an international phenomenon and the figures are startling. In 2006 the World Health Organisation carried out a study which showed that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other form of sexual violation. UNICEF reckons that each year at least 2 million children across the world fall into the grips of the sex industry. The UN estimates that the sex industry generates between €3 billion and €20 billion and is a lucrative industry. We need to play our part in tackling this.

Last week Interpol made a very interesting and informative presentation to Members in the Audio Visual room. The point was made that blocking images of children will not stop all exploitation, but nevertheless, to paraphrase what Interpol said, it is an important element because the material which Interpol is seeking to block is only that which falls into three of the most severe categories of images that are being distributed on the Internet, assault, gross assault and sadistic bestiality. It wants to exclude the lesser categories. A very important point is that Interpol wants to target simple viewers, or individuals who encounter the material by accident, because once their curiosity is tweaked by such images, there is a chance that one in three of these individuals reach a point where they commit a sexual offence against children. Blocking is extremely important as a preventive measure. Other offenders, who are more creative will not use the Internet but will find other ways of communicating.

It is welcome that the Minister will consider blocking such images on the Internet. By so doing we can play our role in tackling the gross crime of child sexual abuse.